The aim of the project is to promote the regulation on potato cultivation and marketing of plant propagating material in Baltic Sea Region.
Easing conditions for seed marketing to small-scale growers in Latvia and Estonia could lead to lower seed costs and more flexibility in packaging size within seed lots could stimulate growers to purchase seed potatoes of locally adapted varieties from professional operators. Additionally, eased certification conditions encourage seed companies to show interest in growing local and heritage varieties demanded by small growers also in MainPotRe project countries like Finland, which does not have its own potato-breeding program anymore.
Eased regulations for seed potato marketing to small growers would also enhance the competitiveness of small potato breeding programs, promoting biodiversity, sustainability, and adaptation to climate change in the region. Therefore, the project will work on policy recommendations for expanding the registration of heritage varieties and identifying bottlenecks in current legislation.
A toolbox for non-commercial users on potato material deposition in and distribution from gene banks will be developed. Marketing strategies for the most suitable local varieties will be reshaped, improving the availability of small quantities of healthy seed potatoes. This will contribute to food security in the region.
Project information
The project is financed by INTERREG Baltic Sea Region Programme (Small Projects).
Eligible period: 01.08.2023–31.07.2025
Total budget: 500 000€, METK’s budget: 104 530€
The coordinator of the project is Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics, Latvia.
The other four partners are from Finland and Estonia.
Project Manager:
Terje Tähtjärv
Researcher of the Department of Plant Breeding
[email protected]
Related links
Last updated: 05.03.2024
