We also expect great things from mutating potatoes using a gene editing process, within the regular breeding norms. This innovation offers huge benefits. Thanks to this technique, progress can be realised much more rapidly than with breeding, particularly in the area of disease resistance. Unfortunately, Europe has implemented restrictive legislation in relation to this, meaning we must therefore test and market the relevant products outside of European borders.
 

There is a promising future for growing hybrid potato varieties. We are making huge strides with this technique. In Kenya, HZPC has trial fields where potatoes are tested directly from seed. We expect to create a prototype in 2021 which can be released onto the market in Central Africa in 2025.
 

We are improving yields and preventing food wastage by offering production/technical support (with respect to agronomy and product management) to chain partners. This direct contact with our chain partners and customers is maintained by an international team which comprises around 90 HZPC colleagues. Everyone takes responsibility for providing as much support as possible to our partners in the potato chain.
 

We support growers across the globe. Even smaller growers in countries such as Africa and Asia benefit from partnerships. Over the past year, we have developed an app that they can consult. This allows us to share our expertise and help smaller growers increase their yields and prevent food wastage. The app offers practical information and advice, such as explaining the best times for planting, and noting which varieties are suitable for particular soils. Advice is also provided about fertilisation, crop protection agents and irrigation.
 

Small farmers, big deal, an initiative by Agriterra, calls upon agri-food enterprises, the Dutch government and knowledge institutions to give farmers' organisations and cooperatives in developing countries a bigger role to play in Dutch trade, aid and investment policy. HZPC is a member of the initiative group behind Small farmers big deal. 

Read more about Small farmers big deal
 

We aim to reach more people around the world with our products each year. In this way, we can contribute to food security and to a healthy and varied diet. We focus on adding new countries and increasing seed potato acreage. We also supply to countries which are hard to access due to war or (limited/non-existent) infrastructure, guided by the notion that everyone has the right to food.

Structurally speaking, with direct and indirect sales, we delivered to 90 countries. We talk of structural sales if a country purchases seed potatoes for three consecutive years or in four years out of five.

Helping small scale African farmers to improve their food production is extremely important in response to the strong growth in population and demand for food.
Top quality seed potatoes are rarely used. Consequently, harvests are up to five times smaller.

The Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture from Switzerland helps small scale farmers in developing countries to achieve higher incomes through innovation and sustainable agriculture. Their project ‘Seeds2B’ offers farmers access to top quality seed potatoes. The focus within this project is on potatoes as they can help to provide food security while having a low impact.  

HZPC is a partner of Seeds2B. With its knowledge and strong variety portfolio, HZPC contributes to the development of the market for small scale farmers in this tropical region. Twelve varieties are now officially approved for import to the various countries in the region.