Valencia is a potato variety from the Netherlands. ACI imports its seed from the Dutch company Skep Holland and has marketed it across the country. The variety is reported to be giving a bumper yield this season.

Valencia has raised the hopes of potato growers in several districts, including Joypurhat, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Munshiganj, Cumilla and Dinajpur.

Leon Hanstra, international account manager of Skep Holland, has visited Bangladesh to see the crop. He inspected potato fields in remote areas of Cumilla and Munshiganj and spoke to farmers, seed dealers and retailers about its yield.

ACI says the potato is yielding about 40 tonnes a hectare, some 37 per cent more than similar varieties. It is ready for sale in 55-60 days and can be left in the field for up to 85 days.

Within 60 days it yields up to 31 tonnes a hectare, so farmers are earning more by harvesting early. The variety can be stored at normal temperature for about 90 days.

With a dry-matter content above about 22.5 per cent and oil absorption below about 3 per cent, Valencia is tasty and suited to French fries. It is also tolerant of scab disease.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.