The fact that there is even a great deal of interest in Latvian varieties was also demonstrated by Potato Day at the Straupe market.
A queue has already formed at the stand of the Priekuļi Research Centre before the start of the market, and even the inhabitants of Priekuļi are surprised at how quickly the potatoes are sold out. Ilze Dimante, a researcher at the Priekuļi Research Centre of the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, explained the high interest quite simply:
"People are longing for the taste of Latvian potatoes, apparently we have not promoted ourselves enough because there is a perception that there are no Latvian varieties left in Latvia."
The varieties of potato developed in Latvia are valuable first of all because they have been bred for a specific place and for specific growing conditions.
"One important factor is that we do our breeding under low-input conditions, which means low fertilizer and very little use of plant protection products, so these varieties have already adapted to conditions that do not require high doses of fertilizer, very high spraying," said Dimanta, pointing out that the value of local potato varieties lies in another respect:
"Because we have local breeding, we can do initial seed production, which means that in the event of any crises or global shocks, we can grow the seed here. If there is a foreign variety, then in that country - in the Netherlands or Germany - if there are any difficulties or problems, they will choose to keep their seed, but the fact that we have local seed guarantees that we will have potato seed."
Rūta Beirote, the owner of the Zutiņi farm, also stressed the importance of reminding people about the potato varieties developed in Latvia. This farm also tries to preserve old varieties, which often do not even have a specific name.
"But there are nicknames - like the ones with blue bottoms, or the ones with little eyes, or the ones that are black, like the bottoms of a pot. There are people who have entrusted some of these breeds to us, and it is a sacred duty to continue to maintain them, to try to breed them and also to share them, because the old breeds that are not even breeds anymore, they are of great value. They are used to our land, to our conditions, and in cases where other breeds might not feel good enough, they grow and produce and give us what we cannot get from modern varieties in the non-productive years."
Both the Priekuļi Research Center experts and the owner of the Zutiņi farm acknowledged that the potato would also be valued as an important food asset in times of unexpected crises.
"The potato was what saved us during the war because when the crops were trampled, burnt, and destroyed, the potato remained under the ground and fed our people. It is very sad to compare, but even today the potato is partly our food security asset," said Beirote.
The past season has not been easy for potato growers. There are regions where the rains have not even allowed the entire harvest, and preserving the crop can also be problematic.
That is why the experts of the Priekuļi Research Center urged people to think about the new season well in advance.
"The seed will definitely be a challenge for those buying it from Western Europe, because the conditions there were even more difficult than ours.We in Priekuļi will have the seed, we start preparing the seed in January, but a grower who is serious about planting 'Agrie dzeltenie', 'Monta' or 'Gundega' will call us and apply for the seed now."
Before going to Priekuļi to look for Latvian potato varieties, it is essential to contact the research center, because there is no shortage of applicants, and waiting until planting time may mean that you do not get the variety you want.
