Potato Review

30 POTATO REVIEW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 AHDB ON THE SPOT BY SOPHIE CHURCHILL ‘Harrogate gathering will provide a boost to our resilient industry’ A s I write this, lifting conditions continue to be very wet in many parts, but the industry is again proving that it produces a great food, enjoyed across the people of the UK. As the year closes, I’ve been struck by the blend of precision and people skills which characterises those individuals and businesses that surf each year’s challenges most successfully. e shadows across the industry are certainly real, the loss of CIPC being only one amongst many challenging changes. e AHDB Potatoes Board was pleased to back decisive plans to support store managers through this change, as, if we cannot store potatoes viably through late spring, we will lose a third of our market. You can hear the latest results from research projects in the BP2019 seminar room, and sign-up for a one- to-one visit from our newly established Storage Network on our stand, number 130. Aswe go into toBP2019 there is the unspoken acknowledgement – onewemust face, I believe – that consumer demandwill not rebuild to the levels of 30 years ago: Potatoeswill need to appear inmany high value forms, appealing to everyone. I believe that we canwork as one industry to show consumerswhat part the potato canplay in their diets, whether traditional or vegan.Whilst recent campaigns have shown impact, there are new opportunities to do that evenmore powerfully, with increasingly sophisticatedways of shaping consumer behaviour. AHDB’smarket development teamwas recently successful in gaining extra funding fromthe dairy sector to run amulti-award winning campaign andwe have o ered the potato industry the same option. I have valued the frank andproductivemeetings over recentmonths and amhopeful wewill bring the sector together behind a dynamic, targeted campaign. The drivers for change Change is also of course coming from the wider policy environment and public expectations on the environment. ere is a palpable shift here fromBP2017. e NFU’s commitment to net zero carbon by 2040 in UK agriculture is massive, exciting and somewhat daunting. I sincerely hope that the potato industry will lean into this, and be seen to be leaders. I have certainly seen precision farming with an eye to sustainability throughout the industry, from breeders, growers of every sort, packers and processors. rough our strategic farm network we have been involved in eld trials and demonstrations for soil probes, soil mapping and variable rate planting. Water management is another prime example of where we need sensible regulation from government and also best practice on farm. AHDB will continue to provide opportunities for growers and agronomists to see new technologies in action as they assess what is the right option for their business. Increasing pro tability and reducing environmental load is surely in our grasp. e NFU document is worth a read - the role of carbon capture and storage was what surprised me: it’s not all about reducing blight applications, by any means. So, BP2019 will again be a welcome opportunity for the industry to get together after two years exemplifying the industry’s rock and roll, joys and toll. It’s hardly a touchy- feely therapy session but such is the brilliant camaraderie of the industry that it will have a similar boosting e ect and we are all grateful to the organisers. AHDB will be there presenting a great seminar programme, pulling together key issues in a practical way. It’s good to talk, as the old ad said, and our knowledge exchange managers will be there throughout. It will also be wonderful to present industry awards once more. I shall be standing down as Chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board by the end of my three-year term, inMarch 2020. Potatoes are a superb food, for everyone, grown by an extraordinary bunch of skilled and friendly people. I thank you for all I’ve learnt and the privilege of being part of this unique industry. We must work as one industry to show consumers what part the potato can play in their diets.