To improve the productivity of potato farmers in Indonesia and the availability of high-quality seed potatoes, EWINDO (East-West Seed Indonesia) and the Salim Group have joined forces.
By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, EWINDO and the Salim group plan to:
- conduct a feasibility study into breeding Indonesian seed potatoes
- select new potato varieties for processing and culinary use
- increase potato production and sales to meet with market demand
- produce and sell potatoes for the open market
- develop and brand high-end fresh potatoe
Indonesian potato farmers are struggling to keep their business healthy. Strict import restrictions were implemented in 2003 after an imported seed lot turned out to be infected with a harmful nematode (Golden Cyst). Indonesian potato yields have decreased by 60% since then. Potato farmers in Indonesia realize 10-12MT / hectare, whereas their European counterparts produce 5 times that amount per hectare.
Their low productivity results in high consumer prices and low potato consumption. In Indonesia, consumers consume 4.7kg/capita/year, compared to 10kg/cap in China, 17kg/cap in Japan, and 87kg/cap in Europe.
Glenn Pardede, President Director of EWINDO:
“The main problem for potato farmers in Indonesia today is the lack of quality seed potatoes as a result of the import restrictions. We will contribute our experience in development and production of vegetable seeds to improve the quality and availability of seed potatoes in Indonesia. We believe that that will benefit both farmers and consumers in Indonesia.”
Paulus Moleonoto, Representative for the Salim Group and Director of Indofood:
“Through this collaboration, we contribute to a sustainable supply chain that benefits the environment, improves crops and the availability of healthy food and benefits all stakeholders.”
Other collaboration partners for this project include HZPC, the innovative world leader in potato breeding, seed potato trade and product concept development and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture.
