In Brazil, it is estimated that there are 100 thousand hectares of cultivation spread over several states of the country, generating a production of 3.8 million tons, according to IBGE / 2018
By Alison Rampazzo, portfolio leader of Corteva Agriscience’s Hortifruti line.
Potato is a crop of great socioeconomic importance. In addition to its value as a substantially nutritious food, potato cultivation is a powerful source of job creation. In Brazil, there are about 2,000 producers, generating more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The potato production chain plays a very important role, with a GDP of between 4 and 5 billion reais, to the door of the farmer’s property. However, the challenges to reach the consumer’s table with quality are great. To do this, the entire production process, from the choice of planting potatoes to harvesting and washing, is fundamental to the success of the operation.
Traditionally, the main production paradigm of any crop has been to increase productivity per unit area. More recently, however, in the face of fierce competition from globalization of markets, excellent quality has been the main criterion for adding value to the product. In recent years it is noted that many producers have left the activity, however, those that have stayed have implemented in-depth business management systems and have accompanied the adhesion of technological innovations, in order to achieve greater productivity (kg/Ha) and tuber quality. Offered.
It should be noted that in the current cultural scenario, factors such as: seed quality, soil management, irrigation, plant health and mechanization are the highlights to improve productive ceilings. On the other hand, some factors corroborate negative results for increased productivity, such as pests (oxyide larvae, mining larvae, white fly), diseases (late bland, black cinnamon, common scabies, fusariosis and black spot), quality, high labor costs and even lack of credit.
Potato cultivation in Brazil is basically focused on domestic consumption (domestic market), linked directly to market supply and demand. In this sense, the profitability ratio for the producer has suffered significant volatility. According to cepEA’s survey from 2011 to 2018, the years 2017 and 2018 were marked by prices below the cost of production. Historically, producers with better handling and use of technologies get better cost-effective performance.
One of the main challenges of the production system as a whole in Brazil, which includes potato production, is the economic factor that, due to the low incomes of much of the population, compromises access to the product in the market. This situation induces a retraction of market demand and, consequently, causes a disorganization in the marketing flow that is aggravated by the ins and outs of the imported product. Increased consumer demand for potato classification in the market in terms of culinary skills (intrinsic quality of cultivars) could increase the value of the domestic product, as well as forms of product presentation on supermarket shelves, traceability, brands, etc. These are examples of what happens in other countries where potato per capita consumption is higher, and which could be implemented in Brazil,
