Abstract:
According to legend the first potatoes for planting purposes in South Africa
came from Holland to provide food for mariners visiting the Cape. Since
then the potato industry has grown to become one of the important food
providers in South Africa.
Within the South African context, the gross value of potato production
accounts for about 43% of major vegetables, 15% of horticultural products
and 4% of total agricultural production. On average domestic potato
farmers harvest about R1,6 billion's worth of potatoes a year. The latter
comprise about 1 700 potato farmers (including approximately 400 seed
growers) and 66 600 farm workers.