A spuds a spud?
Tenerife’s Counsellor for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Joaquín Bethencourt, has revealed that a technical team from the Cabildo’s Food Products Valuation Unit, has looked at whether there were differences between potatoes from farmers own supplies and those sanitised by CULTESA.
The evaluation has confirmed that they possess the same characteristics in terms of texture, odour, appearance or flavour.
“The only difference between them is that CULTESA potatoes are more productive, being a healthy seed and free from any disease,” explains José Joaquín Bethencourt.
CULTESA, Crops and Agricultural Technology of Tenerife, was established in 1986, and conducts research and pioneering experiments, to provide farmers with solutions to problems in production and trade.
It is devoted primarily to the production of plants through “in vitro” propagation techniques, in order to contribute to improving the income of the agricultural sector and incorporating the same technological developments.
Regarding potatoes, it is responsible for cleaning up local varieties and providing certified foundation seed production, an activity that is approved by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
This has allowed for the cultivation of local potatoes that are more profitable for farmers, and at the same time more appreciated by consumers.
CULTESA is currently looking at other traditional crops, such as sweet potatoes, onions and garlic.
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