Potato Sub-Committee

Representing a significant proportion of the Scottish potato industry, with members drawn from the country’s agronomy, seed and pre-packing sectors, as well as a number of seed and ware growers, the Potato Sub-committee ensures that the technical staff of the James Hutton Institute are fully informed and up-to-date with all of the technical, commercial and political pressures facing potato growers today, whilst also keeping the industry briefed on the existing and proposed research work at the institute.

The changing emphasis on government funding for research and the need to ensure end-user relevance gives the committee a significant voice in discussions with the Scottish Government and others; in addition, the committee itself can provide moderate levels of funding to initiate research into areas of immediate concern to the Scottish industry before such work can be developed into full work packages appropriate for higher-level funding.

Meetings and Events

Meeting twice a year at the James Hutton Institute, the Potato Sub-committee has introduced an open session following its winter meeting, which all members are encouraged to attend.

Topical subjects are addressed in depth by researchers and key industry representatives giving well-informed, practical information to growers. Key topics covered in recent open forums have involved blackleg, soil, long-term trends in the potato industry, PCN, drought, erosion control and breeding. Member visits to key industry facilities have also taken place, with more planned in future.

The Potato Sub-committee’s main field event has grown significantly from the days of a simple field walk; with the involvement of SRUC and Agrii, this has grown into Potatoes in Practice, the UK’s premier outdoor potato event held each August.