In the July/August issue of CHIPS, we explore the vital foundations of successful potato production. Discover how the family-run Stephan en Seun Boerdery navigates year-round potato production and learn why water quality and soil health are non-negotiable for crop success. We also dive into mitigating temperature stress with biostimulants and highlight how Potatoes SA celebrated the International Day of the Potato to honour potato producers’ global impact.
Year-round potato production in the Sandveld
Stephan en Seun Boerdery is a family farming business that operates in two regions on the West Coast. The operation produces potatoes in a unique area where the crop can be planted year-round. Read about Stef Stephan and his sons, Johan and Lourens, in the July/August issue of CHIPS to learn more about their production and packing operations, as well as the challenges and opportunities related to market access, labour management, and water availability – factors that are critical to farming in the region.
Water: Die mees onderskatte komponent in ’n spuitprogram
Tydens ’n onlangse Aartappels SA-inligtingdag in die Sandveld, het André Erasmus, afgetrede tegniese spesialis by Inteligro, sekere aspekte met betrekking tot watergehalte bespreek. Hoewel meer as 95% van ’n tipiese spuitoplossing uit water bestaan, fokus baie produsente hoofsaaklik op die chemikalieë wat toegedien word. Die gehalte van die water bepaal egter dikwels die doeltreffendheid van ’n produk. In ’n era waarin gewasbeskerming al hoe duurder raak en regulatoriese druk toeneem, kan swak watergehalte enorme finansiële verliese meebring. Lees meer hieroor in hierdie uitgawe.
Grondmikrobes – die dryfveer van aartappelproduksie
Grond is die basis van die voedselketting, maar dit bly die fondament van lewe en landbou. Ons is aangestel as toesighouers oor ons gronde, ’n verantwoordelikheid wat ons met erns moet aanvaar. Die realiteit is eenvoudig: Sonder gesonde grond is daar geen produsente nie, geen landbou nie, en uiteindelik geen lewe nie. Gesonde grond produseer gesonde gewasse, stoor water, filtreer besoedeling en ondersteun miljarde mikrobes wat vir belangrike ondergrondse funksies verantwoordelik is. Moderne aartappelverbouing plaas egter enorme druk op hierdie lewendige stelsel.
Using biostimulants to boost potato yield
Temperature stress is a major limitation in potato production systems. Heat stress reduces tuber initiation, inhibits starch accumulation, damages photosystem II, and increases reactive oxygen species formation. Cold stress reduces enzymatic activity, slows metabolic processes, and delays developmental progression. Biostimulants mitigate these effects through multiple complementary mechanisms.
Potatoes SA celebrates International Day of the Potato
The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) themed this year’s International Day of the Potato as “Where Potatoes grow, livelihood flourish”. The theme honours producers who grow and produce potatoes worldwide. Potato producers are the first link in the livelihood chain and produce not just for themselves but for the broader community. The day acknowledges producers as valuable contributors to food security, livelihoods, and both the formal and informal economies. Potatoes SA joined the celebrations, this time partnering with the Tshwane Market to bring festivities directly to buyers, traders, and agents.
To read more, get your online copy of CHIPS July/August, available as a PDF at https://bit.ly/CHIPS0726 or as an interactive flipbook at https://digimags.agriorbit.com/books/CHIPS-July_August-2026—digimag/, as well as on Potatoes SA’s website at www.potatoes.co.za/chips. To subscribe, phone Beauty Mthombeni on 064 890 6941 or SMS ‘Subscribe’ and your phone number to 064 890 6941.
