Astrakhan Experts Certify 180 Hectares of Seed Potato Crops in 2026

Specialists from the Astrakhan branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “Center for Quality Assessment of Agro-Industrial Products” (FGBNU “TsOK APK”) carried out an approbation of potato crops in the Limansky district in September. Experts inspected 73 hectares planted with the Carmen, Gatsby, Arizona, Alouette, Riviera and Flamingo varieties. According to Dilyara Suleymanova, a specialist of the inspection body of the Astrakhan branch, all crops were recognized as suitable for using the harvest as seed material. The approbation was conducted during the flowering period in accordance with the methodology approved by Decision No. 10 of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated January 30, 2020. In total, since June 2026, TsOK APK specialists in the Astrakhan region have conducted 10 approbations of potato crops covering a total area of 180 hectares, confirming the quality of 9 varieties.

Approbation is a field inspection that determines varietal purity, plant typicity, and the degree of weed infestation, disease and pest damage. Crops that do not pass this procedure lose their varietal status and become “ordinary” seed. The subsequent use of such seeds deprives agricultural producers of the right to receive subsidies from the Ministry of Agriculture. The work carried out in the Limansky district therefore not only confirms the suitability of the inspected crops for seed purposes, but also helps local growers maintain access to state support and preserve the genetic quality of their planting material.