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An advertising-demonstrative presentation of some varieties of potatoes that are suitable for growing in our region was made in the experienced section of the company "Semika" of the agronomist Ilia Grancharov. Potato and seed producers from Velingrad, Sarnitsa, Yakoruda and Dobrinishte were present. The experimental section was sown with the varieties "Arnova" and "Amoroso", which are medium-early and with the variety "Marquis", which occurs later. It was demonstrated to the growers how much potatoes were obtained from a single root. According to Mr. Atanas Birnikov, a well-known potato producer in our region, one can talk about good yield if a minimum of 3 tons of produce is extracted from a decare. The demonstration was also attended by the long-time director of the Central Experimental Station of Potato Production in Bulgaria. Apostol Jondjorov, who said that Dutch varieties of potatoes have been grown mainly in Bulgaria for many years. About 50 years ago. we have had a Bulgarian variety "Samokov 729", but it has proved unprofitable and unsustainable. This has necessitated a reorientation to the proven Dutch varieties.
The president of Bonero company Mr. Mikhail Bozarov and its chief consultant, the agronomist Asen Pidov-Georgiev, also came to Velingrad. Bonero is an official representative of the Dutch company Agrico, one of the world's largest producers and exporters of seed potatoes. According to Mr. Bozarov, the main problem for Bulgarian producers is that they use poor quality seed, which gives low yields. Bonero company imports about 2000 t of seed from the Netherlands, which is certified and with proven qualities and opportunities for large yields. At the same time, about 60-70,000 tons are needed for consumption for the needs of the population. You can see the huge difference in what kind of potatoes are available on the market. Most of them are derived from poor quality seeds. The problems also come from the fact that there is no state policy on this issue. This includes the complicated procedure of granting loans from the Agriculture Fund, which makes the producers not to risk. They rely on cheap uncertified seeds, which give them yields of about 800-900 kg per hectare, instead of buying verified, quality planting material. The price of 1 kg of such seed is 1.40 leva, and for one acre they need nearly 300 kg. The cost of about 400-500 leva per hectare will be justified because the yield is unlikely to fall below 3 tons. In Sarnitsa, where 90% of the population is engaged in potato production, some farmers now work only with Dutch seeds and are satisfied with the yields. Last year, one producer received from 7.5 acres 28 tons of potatoes from a Dutch seed. However, most people continue to plant themselves with seed that has not been selected and in most cases produce low yields.
Specialists were unanimous that Velingrad and the whole area around it are suitable for potato production and here they can thrive, and give high yields, both the middle-early varieties and those that become later. However, the main requirement is that manufacturers must use quality, certified planting material.
In the area of the village. St. Petka were grown potatoes with a stem height of 2.30 m, whose owner wants to apply for the Guinness records (v. "Tempo" wrote in detail in the last issue). Asked for comment, the specialists were unanimous that there is no connection of the stem with the yield, size or quality of the potatoes. A high stem is no guarantee that there will be many or large potatoes. However, it is not the stem of the potato that is important, but its roots.
Georgi Stoyanov