POTATO WEEK AT GLEN COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
The training and research partnership between Potatoes South Africa and Glen College of Agriculture has in 2009 grown to a new height with the introduction of a Potato Week that is designed to culminate in a Potato Recipe Tasting Day. The objectives of the said potato week are to create awareness regarding the potato value chain among emerging farmers and students and to popularize various potato recipes among farmers, students and members of the public via actual tasting of different recipes in addition to receiving information on different recipes.
In order to ensure that the objectives of the potato week are achieved, Glen College of Agriculture has from 2009 academic year in fact officially included the potato week in its academic calendar. The latter meant that staff and students at the college had to be engaged in a several planning sessions leading to the potato week. The news about the potato week was so well received that 46 farmers from around the Free Sate, 30 extension staff, 56 students from Glen College and 12 lecturers from Glen College attended the potato week. This shot the attendance to a record 144 participants who took part in a number of activities that were linked to the Rodeo red skin cultivar that was earlier planted at Glen and was at the time of the Potato Week ready for the winter harvest.
Key activities on the morning session of first day of the potato week included presentations on the Glen potato project, value adding on potatoes, the potato value chain by the Potatoes South Africa’s Intern Bokomosho Moilwa, Ms van Wyk and Herman Haak respectively. The afternoon session included practical demonstrations by Prokon expert Derrick de Wet on potato grading norms and standards. The day was rounded off by Mr Lesemola from Mangaung Fresh produce market who gave an illustration on fresh produce marketing operations. The next day started with presentations about the role of Potatoes South Africa, potato marketing and promotion by Diale Mokgojwa and Immaculate Zinde. This was followed by practical sessions on harvesting in the field, sorting and packaging in the shed as well as potato recipe tasting which include lunch.