Agrico held its annual Variety and Seedling Show at Agrico Research in Bant on 9 and 10 November, dedicated to its 50th anniversary. The new variety Fajah and the two spotlight varieties, Jacky and Lugano, were presented to the visitors.
Jan van Hoogen, managing director of Agrico awarding a statuette for the latest pototo variety Fajah.
With heart and soil… committed to the next generation
With more than 50 reasons to come over, including the presentation of the spotlight varieties, networking with like-minded people and discovering our potato ‘walk of fame’, it was a great, innovative show. This was also the last Variety Show for Jan van Hoogen, before he hands over the baton to the ‘next generation’, Mark Zuidhof. "This is my last year as chairman of the variety committee. I am very happy with my successor," van Hoogen said in his speech.
Development of sustainable potatoes
Agrico has focused on developing, growing and marketing sustainable seed potatoes and table potatoes suitable for climates and markets throughout the world. A lot will change in our playing field because of EU legislation. This presents significant challenges for Agrico’s growers with their varieties will have to play a huge role in this, turning challenges into opportunities.
"The battle for acreage has begun and therefore we as Agrico will have to protect our position. That is why we have decided to specialize even more in seed potatoes," said van Hoogen.
New on the Dutch Variety List
Along with its affiliated breeders, our breeding company Agrico Research is responsible for developing new potato varieties for all markets in which Agrico is active. These varieties are the roots of our organization. Fajah, bred by Renze Rispens has been added to the Dutch Variety List. It is a strong variety with large tubers and a relatively high dry matter content. It is an early maturing crop with yellow skin, good heat tolerance, virus resistance and a high yield. "In all these years, I have awarded 61 statuettes. This was the last one for me," said van Hoogen.
Spotlight varieties
Every year Agrico selects a number of varieties that warrant extra attention. These spotlight varieties are young, innovative varieties, that are currently taking the market by storm. This year, Jacky and Lugano are the spotlight varieties. Jacky is a promising small size ware variety, with very high tuber numbers per plant. The variety is perfect for the ware potato segment and the chilled market. Lugano has large tubers and good processing qualities. As well as very broad nematode resistance, it stores very well. This makes Lugano very successful in the French fries industry and traditional markets.
Manon Kutschruiter
Agrico
Tel:+31 (0)527 639980
Email: [email protected]
www.agricopotatoes.com