Agriscience
Jamaica is investing in in vitro propagation of Irish potato seeds in an effort to reduce imports and increase local farming production. The lab cultured seeds prevent spreading of disease and are hoped to boost production enough to not only achieve self-sufficiency, but also increase exports to European markets.
In vitro propagation of 1st generation Irish potato seeds using tissue culture is to begin at three newly-equipped laboratories in Jamaica. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) has confirmed that they have the capacity to produce 4.8 million Irish potato micro tubers a year, in laboratories located at the Scientific Research Council, the Bodles Research Station and the Northern Caribbean University.
The JSIF is implementing this project, as part of a government-funded (€130,000) National Irish Potato Development Programme, to reduce dependency on potato seed imports. 90% of Irish potato seeds in Jamaica are currently imported, they are often 5th or 6th generation seeds which carry diseases and produce poor yields. In vitro propagation is one of the most reliable ways to avoid spreading diseases, which have the potential to affect over 2,000 Jamaican potato farmers.
The 1st generation seeds produced in the laboratories will be sold to local farmers and exported to Europe, helping to improve production rates, increase Jamaica’s self-sufficiency, create new jobs and boost foreign exchange earnings. The cost of producing micro tubers locally is approximately €1.32 million, whereas imported micro tubers cost US$2.26 million. The programme plans to supply enough seeds to satisfy 100% of local demands for Irish potatoes by 2020.
