After many years of research on potato breeding at the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory of the Agricultural Research Centre of the University of Costa Rica (UCR), Costa Rican producers will now have a new variety called Elbe, which is characterised for being ideal for fresh consumption (salads, mashed potatoes, soups) and for the production of potato chips and French fries.
Elbe is highly consistent when cooking, with an excellent flavour and colour. Its content of solids and reducing sugars and the tuber's size and shape make it an ideal choice for the industry, as reported by the researchers. As regards its appearance, the skin is smooth and light yellow and the flesh is creamy white.
Moreover, it is a variety that has shown great potential for its cultivation under Costa Rica's ecological conditions, in low and high areas, and during dry or rainy periods. It is also characterised for achieving high yields and tuber quality without changing the handling methods used for other varieties grown in the country. With proper crop management and the use of good quality seeds it is possible to obtain more than 45 tonnes per hectare. It has also proved to be highly resistant to various pests and diseases.
The presentation to producers and industrial processors by the MAG and the UCR took place on 3 December at the headquarters of the MAG in Sabana Sur and was attended by Minister José Joaquín Rojas Salazar, officials of the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), the Foundation for the Development and Promotion of Agricultural Research and Technology Transfer of Costa Rica (FITTACORI) and members of the National Potato Commission.
"This good news is the result of collaborative work, striving to meet the real needs of producers," said the chief, who also appealed to consumers to consume healthy, quality products of domestic production.
Further research on potatoes
In recent years, the INTA has made valuable contributions in the field of potato production, running a laboratory at the Carlos Duran Experimental Station which provides advice to producers, especially in the area of greenhouse production.
According to the INTA researcher Jeannethe Avilés Chaves, coordinator of the station, they are currently doing research on 10 potato cultivars that look promising for the industry and hope that by the end of next year a new potato variety will be launched called "La única" ("The only one").
"La única" is a promising variety that growers and the industry are already aware of. It is red and is known for being resistant to pests and diseases. It also achieves high yields per hectare," stated Avilés Chaves.
In recent years, the INTA has launched three varieties called Paski, Kämuk and Duran. Of these, the Paski has become well accepted in the field of organic production, the Kamuk has proven suitable for highlands and the Duran, of white colour, has shown to be an ideal variety for the processing sector.
According to data from the Management of the National Potato Program of the MAG, the average annual potato consumption stands at 65,008 tonnes, with an average annual variation of 9% and a per capita consumption of 14 kilos. In the period between 2010 and 2014, potatoes generated 1,325 million Colon in added value.
Industry with traceability seal
The presentation of the new Elbe potato variety was met with great satisfaction from the processors which make use of domestic potatoes. Some processors label their products with the national potato seal issued by the Costa Rican Chamber of Potato Producers with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG).
In order to identify the products made from potatoes grown and harvested on domestic soil, consumers can look for this seal, which is designed to support the country's potato producers and whose motto is "Costa Rican potatoes, of the highest quality."