Potatoes.News Launches a Potato Expert Panel With Scientists From South Africa, Uganda and Indonesia — and Invites Readers to Join
The first three members of the Potato Expert Panel come from North-West University, ASARECA and Indonesia’s BRIN. Potato specialists from any country can apply to join.
Potatoes.News has launched the Potato Expert Panel, a group of scientists and practitioners who will comment on industry news and explain what new research means for growers, seed producers, processors and traders. The first three members come from South Africa, Uganda and Indonesia, and the panel is now open to new applications from readers.
Why it matters
Potato research is moving fast — from rooted apical cuttings and aeroponics to climate-smart agronomy and postharvest sprout control — but results often stay in journals and conference posters. An international panel gives producers and the trade direct access to specialists who can put new findings and market events into context.
Meet the first members
Prof Nomali Ngobese (South Africa) is an Associate Professor in the School of Agriculture at North-West University and head of its Sustainable Crop and Resource Management Department. Her work covers potato agronomy, crop physiology, seed-potato performance, postharvest management and sprout suppression, and climate-smart production. Read our interview with her: “Africa is a source of science and innovation, not only a market”.
Weekdays. Unsubscribe in one click.
Dr Joshua Okonya (Uganda) is Program Officer for Agricultural Technology and Innovation at ASARECA and a Fellow of the Uganda National Academy of Sciences. He previously spent more than ten years as an agronomist at the International Potato Center and now leads the scale-up of climate-resilient potato technologies, including rooted apical cuttings in Kenya. Related: Kenya: Rooted Apical Cuttings Produce Up to 45 Tubers per Cutting.
Dr Meksy Dianawati (Indonesia) is a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), specialising in seed potato production, aeroponic cultivation, breeding and agronomic practices. Related: Indonesia: Extra Light Lifts Aeroponic Seed Potato Yield by 55% in Atlantic Malang.
Join the panel
We invite researchers, agronomists, seed producers, processors, storage and machinery specialists, market analysts and other potato professionals from any country to become members of the Potato Expert Panel. Members comment on news and trends for Potatoes.News readers, share their research and receive a personal expert profile on the site.
To apply, write to v.kovalev@potatoes.news with the subject “Potato Expert Panel” and include a short biography (80–150 words), your areas of expertise, your country and organisation, and a portrait photo you are happy for us to publish.
All panel members are listed on the Potato Expert Panel page.
