Irish Potato Farming | Raw potato is 79% water, 17% carbohydrates (88% of which is starch), 2% protein, contains negligible fat (table). In a 100 gram amount, raw potato provides 77 calories and is a rich source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C (23% and 24% of the Daily Value, respectively), with no other nutrients in significant amount (table).
When a potato is baked, contents of vitamin B6 and vita min C decline with little significant change in other nutrients little wonder why it is one of the favorite vegetables of most human.
Irish potatoes are not Irish – they are a type of white potato from South American which are forever associated with an infamous potato-disease famine in Ireland.
Irish Potato Farming – How to Start
1) MAKE A BUSINESS PLAN: You’re coming to become a business taikon so you’ll need to graph a good business plan to avoid impulses and plan the business future in the next 4yrs. Thi s is to direct and give you a sense of focus.
2) MAKE ENQUIRIES : Get to find out everything you can on growing Irish potato, its topography, humidity, pest and control.
3) LOCATION: The next thing to do is to get a location. With the information you’ve received, you should know that irish potato grow in areas of relative sunlight. The location, soil factor should be favorable for the growth of the plant.
4) PLAN FOR FARM MACHINERIES:
- Tractor (around 45 Kw
- Solid set irrigation equipment
- Planter/fertilizer applicator
- Fertilizer equipment (spreader)
- Spray equipment
- Cultivation equipment/hiller
- Tipping device fitted to tractor
- Shed forklift
- Digger/harvester (single row)
- Digger/harvester (double row)
- Scales
- Bag sewing machine
- Half ton bins
- Grader
5) BUY THE VARIETY OF POTATO YOU WANT TO PLANT:
When you buy a mature potato tuber, look closely at the small indentations in the skin, and you will see a small bump in each one. This is actually a stem bud from which a new plant can sprout. When these buds are exposed to warmth and moisture, they begin to swell and soon sprout into entire stems with roots growing from their bases and leaves at the tops. You can get the stem bud from grocery stores.
6) TILL THE SOIL AND GET READY FOR SOWING: Start planting after weeding and tilling to avoid weeds from growing along with the plant and eating up the nutrients in the soil.
7) APPLY PESTICIDES IF YOU NOTICE ANY PEST REACTION: This is one way of ensuring bountiful harvest
8) HARVEST ING AND STORAGE: this should be done immediately the plant has grown if you don’t want others doing the harvest for you. Store in barns that are moisture free. You can inform people about it if you have intentions of selling.
