What it takes to grow Irish potatoes

Irish potatoes are mainly grown in Kabale and Kapchorwa. In the central region, they are casually grown on the hills around Mubende and Mityana.

Comparatively, while the land in Kabale is hilly, it is not rocky. However the land in Mubende were these potatoes are grown is quite stony, but not entirely rocky.

Some of the areas in Mubende include Kisita hill, near Kisita gold mines and the so called 99 hills that stretch to as far as Kabamba. According to researchers, Irish potatoes grow better in well-drained soils that do not flood.

However, some types can also grow in moderately ‘stony' conditions like the case is in Mubende. But the main factor is that the soils must be loam and well drained and there should not be rocks, but some stones.

Irish potatoes are an everyday food, especially for urban dwellers. They are consumed as steamed food, as fried chips or as crisps. In most production areas, a sack of 100kg goes for sh100,000, however, in urban areas, such as Kampala, the same sack costs over sh250,000.

Overall, a farmer needs at least sh2m to set up an acre of Irish potatoes, minus the cost of land. By three months, they are ready for harvesting. In Uganda, average yields per acre are 150 bags or 15 tonnes. This gives an average farm gate price earnings of sh15m.

Current common varieties include Rwangume, Kinigi, Nakapot5, Kachwe 1, Rutuku, and in September, the National Agriculture Research Organisation introduced NARO1, 2 and 3.

Garden preparation

• Choose land with well drained sandy loamy soils.

• Clear the bush and plough the land to soften it. The average cost of preparing an acre is sh450,000-including digging the ridges.

• It is important for farmers to know the type of soil they have, in order to have the right seed for it. For example, testing the soil before planting, knowing the seed that grows in that area better are some of the things that farmers should look out for to avoid losses. Soil testing costs between sh30,000 and sh50,000 per sample. An acre requires at least three to four samples.

• Dig for the second time after two weeks and make ridges.

Note that adequate tilling and drainage are essential, so as to increase the oxygen supply in the soil, which is a vital ingredient for Irish potato growth. Irish potatoes grow best on raised beds.

This can be done in two ways; during initial land preparation or immediately after planting. Adoption of raised beds leads to improvements in soil moisture, temperature, adequate aeration and drainage.

• Avoid planting in water-logged areas, especially since this will lead to the seeds rotting.

Compiled by Joshua Kato (the editor Harvest Money) and Moses Kiptala, Irish potato grower in Kapchorwa.