The Ministry of Agriculture hosted a potato meeting with producers from the Cayo District. The meeting, which was held in Belmopan, focused on discussions of various critical aspects of potato harvest projections for the 2023-2024 crop season in the Cayo district. Other matters addressed included the importation of potato seeds, a crucial factor in ensuring the quality and quantity of potato production.

The challenges faced by local potato producers, including storage losses, unstable prices, competition among farmers, and supply and quality issues, were addressed during the meeting. Strategies and solutions to enhance potato cultivation were discussed, which involved best practices, technology adoption, and market diversification. These challenges underscore the importance of proactive measures and strategies to address them effectively.

This year’s Crop Season Outlook for 2023-2024 projects an increase of 1,234,960 lbs. of potatoes compared to the previous crop season. This indicates a potential surplus if favorable weather conditions persist and could lead to low market prices for farmers in a saturated market. The Ministry of Agriculture is actively engaging with farmers to mitigate the challenges they face. The dialogue and collaboration show the interest the Ministry has in addressing the issues affecting the potato industry. A similar meeting was held with potato farmers of the Orange Walk District last week.