The symposium, which ran from 21 – 22 July, was attended by agricultural stakeholders and university students doing research on various topics including the impact of nematodes on tubers.
The effect of climate change on potato production was also discussed, with speakers saying it presented both challenges and opportunities.
Speakers stressed that water was a resource the industry couldn’t do without, and that potato production was currently under pressure as farmers were required to produce more with less water.
Growing potatoes required 18 litres of water per every 150g produced while oranges used 80 litres per 150g of fruit.
