EAPR

Emmeloord, 23 April 2009 – Yesterday’s kick-off marked one of many preparations leading to PotatoEurope 2009 in September next. On a sunny but chilly spring day in Emmeloord, the Netherlands the seed potato planting for the trial plots got started. The planting was carried out by ‘Proeftuin Zwaagdijk’ (Experimental Horticultural Station Zwaagdijk) on arable land which will house the international PotatoEurope 2009 in about 5 months’ time. PotatoEurope is the world’s largest international potato event. During this event, on 9 and 10 September next these potato fields will serve as trial plots for demonstration purposes. These plots will at that time be used for seed potato variety demonstrations and plant protection and fertiliser trials.

The seed potato planting yesterday was done manually since each trial plot needed to get planted with several potato varieties. Machine planting would have been too complicated. Mr. Willy Schutte, the municipal councillor of economic affairs of the ‘Noordoostpolder’ municipality (which includes the city of Emmeloord), was also present yesterday to witness the kick-off. With his presence he undersigned the importance of this event for his municipality.

The trial plots are part of PotatoEurope, a cyclical event of great international importance for the potato sector. The event has always consisted of three components: an international exhibition, field demonstrations and an international congress. The exhibition and the field demonstrations will take place on 9 and 10 September next. The exhibition will be held in a, for the occasion, purpose-built hall of 10,000 m2 gross floor space. The organisation of PotatoEurope 2009, A.P.P. (Agricultural Promotion Projects) based in Zeist, the Netherlands, expects similar figures in terms of visitors compared to the 2005 edition. Over the two days A.P.P. expects about 15,000 visitors from 50 countries. The preparations for this event are well under way.

www.potatoeurope2009.com