This year the theme of Agrico’s varieties show was Morocco. Morocco is an important market for Agrico. The agricultural sector in Morocco provides jobs to about 40% of the working population, making it the country’s biggest employer. Potatoes rank among the most highly consumed produce in Morocco and occupy an important share of the market for potatoes, fruit and vegetables. With successful red-skinned varieties such as Rudolph, Manitou, Kondor and Kuroda, Agrico has an important market share in this country.
Spotlight varieties
In a stylish Moroccan ambiance, Agrico presented the latest breeding results to the audience representing interested parties from more than 50 countries. In the spotlights was the Alouette variety that already stood out during Agrico's international open day in Morocco for its high yields, attractive shape and amazing red colour. Alouette is a mid-early variety with large, oval tubers and is also suitable for organic growing. The Carolus variety also shared a place in the spotlights. Carolus is an early variety with a wide versatility of uses, and has a yellow skin and characteristic red eyes. This variety is suitable for both conventional and organic growing and has a unique resistance to phytotophtora. This has, in the meantime, ensured that the variety is being more widely cultivated and has greater availability.
New on the variety list
This year saw the appearance of three new Agrico varieties on the Dutch variety list of field crops. One of this trio of varieties is Anouk, a mid-early yellow-skinned, fine variety with a high number of round/oval tubers. The second new variety is Ranomi. This early, yellow-skinned variety is characterised by good scab resistance, excellent consumption quality and high yields. The third variety is the red-skinned Alouette that already enjoyed the spotlights during the show. All three of the new varieties were propagated by daughter company Agrico Research, which was awarded the usual figurines in recognition of its achievements.
As well as the breeding results, managing director Jan van Hoogen also shared the most recent developments within Agrico. As part of its CSR policy, Agrico has established a new code of conduct for all the subsidiaries within the Agrico group. This code of conduct was officially ratified before the show when all the affiliated subsidiaries and Agrico B.V. signed the document. Jan van Hoogen sees the new code as another step forwards in increased professionalism and greater sustainability within the Agrico group.
For an impression of the varieties show, watch the video on www.agrico.nl.
