THE Crookwell district is probably best known for its seed potato industry and general potato production although it is also well represented in sheep and cattle agricultural pursuits.
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On March 6-8 the district celebrated the humble vegetable for which it has become famous with its “best ever Potato Festival” according to life member of the Potato Growers’ Association Eric Hurn.
Mr Hurn, who was one of the founders of the association commented this to current president Matthew Gay on the Sunday after bumper crowds flocked to the Southern Tablelands village to take part in the various activities or just to sample some Crookwell hospitality.
Crookwell growers produce around 3050 Tonne of seed potato per year for the local, South Australian and southern Queensland commercial potato growing industry.
The sought after, certified seed stock, is amongst the best in Australia because of its quarantine area and the rigorous testing carried out throughout the entire production.
Seed potatoes are smaller than commercially grown potatoes with their growth deliberately halted early, hence the lower yield by weight per hectare than for the commercial product.
Crookwell also produces commercial potatoes for the local and commercial market.
Mr Gay said that the number of local growers and the amount of land under potato cropping in the district has reduced over time and unfortunately young people were considering other employment options rather than this horticultural pursuit.
“I think around the country the problem is the same, with the average age of potato farmers being around 60,” Mr Gay said.
“We need some sort of incentive to get young people thinking about potato growing, not necessarily exclusively but as part of an overall farming strategy.”
“I was lucky when I left school that I was able to put in a potato crop and learn from experienced growers the best way to do things.
With favourable weather, that first crop was successful and from there I was able to start buying some machinery and keep going.”
Along with potatoes, Mr Gay runs sheep for the prime lamb market and is not solely reliant on the potato harvest for an income.
While Mr Gay is hoping that one of his children will continue on with the seed potato growing, he is uncertain.
Kim Weir, a former president of the Crookwell Potato Growers Association is a little luckier he has a son who is quite keen on the industry and sees a future in its development.
Mr Weir shares Mr Gay’s concerns not only for the succession of current potato and seed potato producers, but also the need for more young farmers to take up the challenge of growing for Australia’s future needs.
“There is plenty of suitable land around the Crookwell district suitable for certified seed potato growing if farmers were willing to take up the challenge,” Mr Weir said..
Support to grow spuds better
Mr Gay suggested that some type of income support scheme for young farmers willing to learn what was involved in potato farming might act as incentive for them while getting started.
“From planting to harvesting is a pretty long time without an income and there are not too many young people who can manage, with only it one or two pays a year when starting out.
“Government support and training with mentoring from established growers could be a way to secure and expand the industry.
On Saturday AusVeg Special Projects Coordinator Alexander Miller from Victoria visited the Crookwell Potato Festival to engage with growers and the community.
“The Potato Festival in Crookwell was a great opportunity for an AUSVEG representative to visit growers in the region and celebrate the industry,” Mr Miller said.
“The festival was highly enjoyable and it was heartening to see the important role that the potato plays in the local community.
“Crookwell is an important player in the Australian potato industry.
“Being isolated from large commercial growers means there is a low risk of disease – Crookwell is potato cyst nematode (PCN) free and minimal other viruses and diseases are present.
“The region is integral in supplying Australia’s fresh potato growers with clean and reliable certified seed potatoes.
“A highlight of my visit was seeing the Crookwell Potato Association’s unique quality assurance (QA) scheme.
“The scheme has been developed over a number of years by the association and helps to ensure that growers’ seed potato crops are monitored throughout the season and that the highest quality is maintained.”
Mr Gay said that AusVeg was an important organisation in the research and development of the potato industry and helping to maintain and strengthen quality assurance in the Australian produced product for the consumer.
