At organic experimental farm PPO Lelystad, part of Wageningen University & Research, manager Joost Rijk is harvesting the first potatoes of the new season. “We’ve started harvesting new variety Twinner. It’s one of Agrico’s varieties, improved by Te Winkel from Enst in the Noordoostpolder, in the Netherlands. The variety is phytophthora resistant in both leaves and tuber,” he says.
“It’s an early potato, and is meant to replace the Frieslander,” Joost continues. “It’s a good-looking, oval potato. Sizes are good as well. Yield is comparable to Frieslander, and amounts to about 30 tonnes per hectare now. This is exceptionally good for an early organic variety. It’s an added value that the variety is this early. Certain markets can now be supplied early with it.”
The production of the new variety is currently still in its infancy. “This is the first year we’re growing this variety. We now grow on 1.2 hectare to start with. It’s all looking good so far. It’s placed in storage now, and we’re also doing tests with it. The variety can possibly also be used to make chips. I expect this variety has potential to replace the Frieslander.”