College students grow and export 1,750kg of potatoes

Horticulture students from the college of arts and science, aged 16 and 17, have exported 1,750 kilos of potatoes, as interest in the cultivation of this crop reached new heights recently with the release of a promotional online video.

As part of their diploma in horticulture at the Agribusiness Institute the four students cultivate vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, sweetcorn, tomatoes and peppers.

This year, for the first time, their lecturer John Galea gave them the task of growing, harvesting and choosing potatoes for export in line with international standards.

In December they sowed seed potato and then graded it a few weeks ago according to size, shape and appearance.

Part of their work during the cultivation process was to fertilise the crop and draw up plans to prevent diseases.

They harvested 2,250 kilos in all, exporting 1,750 of them.

Mr Galea said that, while the market for the Maltese potato is guaranteed because it enjoys a good reputation, potato growers never know what kind of profit they will be making while they are cultivating it.

Farmers go through four months of uncertainty until the potato is harvested.

The Maltese climate gives the crop a unique palate, while the reddish soil gives the potato a golden tint.

Those qualities were recently emphasised by a young potato grower from Qrendi, Michael Caruana, who waxed lyrical about the Maltese potato and his deep association with it in an online video which was viewed by thousands.

Not everyone can do this job, Mr Galea noted yesterday. It needs technical skill and experience. His students, he said, were trained in the science of potato growing.

They will be selling the produce of recent weeks at the Mcast Agribusiness open weekend between May 31 and June 2, at the institute in Qormi.

The event includes hands-on training in pet care, a plant sale and wine and olive oil tasting, introducing prospective students to the educational and career opportunities available at the institute.

At the free event visitors will be able to try out gardening and farming skills, tour the institute’s animal husbandry units, fields and the new agriculture multi-sensory area, and observe fish and exotic animals. There will also be animal shows and displays of beekeeping, rabbit and poultry keeping, floriculture and veterinary services.

It will be open on the Friday between 10am and 2pm, on Saturday between 10am and 8pm, and on Sunday between 9am and 6.30pm.

More information on www.mcast.edu.mt, 2125 7006 or agribusiness@mcast.edu.mt.

Horticulture students harvesting their crop.