Monday April 20. A container ship arrives at the port of Mutsamudu. Among the goods transported is the cargo ordered by the NGO Dahari. The container contains 13,5 tonnes of potatoes. The importation of these quality seeds takes place as part of Dahari's agricultural support activities. Two thirds of the potatoes will be sold at low cost to farmers in the nine villages in the Dahari intervention zone. Everyone will be able to benefit from 50 to 200kg of potatoes, which they plan to plant as soon as possible. The remaining four tonnes will be sold to individuals.
Potato production is booming in the Comoros. Potatoes cannot be grown at low altitude, which excludes the islands of Mohéli and Mayotte. On the other hand, the island of Anjouan has the altitude conditions necessary for growing potatoes. Indeed, potatoes need light and they fear frost. A temperature of 15 to 25°C promotes good development while temperatures that are too high are unfavorable for production. Potatoes require deep, light soil with a slightly acidic pH, which corresponds to the Anjouan soil acidified by clove trees. Potato cultivation is highly appreciated by producers in high altitude villages. d'Adda, Outsa and Ouzini. However, these three villages were faced with problems accessing seeds from France, because importing structures were not well represented in these areas.
Tuesday, April 21 in the morning: at the port of Mutsamudu, the container is opened and the bags are loaded into trucks.
The potatoes imported by Dahari are of the Rosanna variety. This variety originates from Quimper, France. This variety has already been tested in Anjouan twice in 2013 and 2014, with success. To cultivate it, it is essential to master soil preparation techniques, to use manure, and to properly maintain the plantations, with mulching, hilling, and a good quantity of water. The cultivation of Rosanna is adapted to the conditions of Anjouan and it is an extremely profitable variety. The pilot experiment from May-August 2013 was described as a great success, with the yields observed being a factor higher than eight tubers harvested per seed planted.
If the NGO Dahari chose to import potatoes to Anjouan, it is to be able to ensure the quality of the products grown by local producers. Dahari encourages producers to grow potatoes, because it is a profitable crop, which allows good sales. Dahari also encourages growers to apply two improved practices: off-season production and replanting.
Tuesday April 21 afternoon: a truck arrives in Adda with potato seeds
The practice of potato off-season is very little popularized in the Comoros. Dahari conducted a first production test in the off-season from the end of September 2013 with its producers. The experience was conclusive: the producers harvested their potatoes in November and were able to sell them at an attractive price.
Another technical innovation identified by Dahari is the replanting technique. Potato seeds can be replanted up to two times. Thus, an import of seeds can enable up to three potato crops to be grown. This technique is practiced in many countries, yet this technique has been popularized very little in the Comoros. The introduction of this practice to Outsa was a success. Dahari therefore wishes to popularize it widely in its area of intervention.
In conclusion, this importation of thirteen tonnes of seeds will make it possible to popularize potato cultivation in Anjouan. Through this distribution of quality seeds, Dahari is strengthening its support for producers in Anjouan and is committed to supporting them in their agricultural development by offering improved techniques and varieties that respect the environment, with the aim of increasing their income by sustainable way.
