The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Ecuador has presented Iniap-Fatima, a new potato variety that is more resistant to diseases and can be harvested earlier, between 125 and 150 days, compared to other varieties that require up to 180 days. This variety has been obtained in a research carried out by the National Institute of Agricultural Research (Iniap), the MAG, and the Bolivar State University (UEB).
The Iniap-Fatima potato has pink skin and yellow flesh. It is moderately resistant to diseases, such as late blight. The MAG informed that its seeds had been delivered to farmers. The authorities of the Iniap and the Ministry indicated that the new potato can be used in soups, to make mash potatoes, tortillas, and fried potatoes, among other preparations.
Juan Manuel Dominguez, the director of Iniap, said that the new variety was an alternative to improve the productivity of small farmers. "The Iniap-Fatima variety is the result of a cross between the Iniap-Gabriela variety with a hybrid between egg yolk (Solanum phureja) and the wild variety (Solanum paucissectum)."
