In my last article I described the many steps required to produce certified seed potatoes. Here I present a case for why this system could be improved by diversification. Though the certification process leads to low incidence of disease in potato seed, I feel it needs supplementing to address other factors important to sustainable production.

Why change?

Seed certification gives us high quality planting material, but relying solely on this specialized method creates some unintended consequences. One consequence has been a reduction of diversity due to expense of production. In the state of Washington there are only nine registered seed potato growers. Of these growers, seven are located in Whatcom County. According to the state certification report in 2022:¹

“…in the Whatcom County isolation district, many fields were planted at the beginning of the planting season, before extended rain and flooding. Growers experienced partial or total crop flood-out and lots were plowed under. After flood and rain abated, planting was completed, but very late in the season, which resulted in a short growing season for many lots.”

Benita Matheson, Plant Services Supervisor, Washington Department of Agriculture

There are many potential scenarios that could cause localized crop failure. Having more small farms growing seed in dispersed locations would reduce our chances of extreme loss.

Furthermore, decentralizing our areas of production could also greatly decrease the energy used to transport seed to local growers. Potato seed is bulky and heavy, and is typically shipped long distances to reach farmers and gardeners growing potatoes for food. With more local seed producers, farmers would have the option to purchase locally.

Increasing Genetic Diversity and Local Adaptation

“An important characteristic of small-scale farming is the need for crop genetic diversity. The formal seed sector has difficulty in meeting such high levels of diversity.”^{2 “}Under highly variable rainfall and fluctuating pest and disease pressures, genetically heterogeneous local varieties and mixed cropping are often more stable yielding than genetically uniform varieties and mono-cropping.^”2 The cost of maintaining varieties in the seed certification system leads to fewer varieties available, less genetic variation, and a slower response to environmental change.

“The farmers’ seed system is thus a system in which farmers produce seeds while at the same time practicing a form of crop development and maintain crop genetic diversity in situ.”² I believe that encouraging small local seed producers will bring more diversity and resilience to this important crop.

Navigating the Future

The future of farming appears to hold many challenges. A changing climate, fewer resources, political tension…Diversifying our methods will yield a more resilient system. My next article will lay out ways in which we might begin this process.

References

1. https://agr.wa.gov/services/licenses-permits-and-certificates/plant-permits-and-certification-programs/seed-potato
2. Almekinders, Conny J. M. and Louwaars, Niels P.(2002)’The Importance of the Farmers’ Seed Systems in a Functional National Seed Sector’,Journal of New Seeds,4:1,15 — 33 http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J153v04n01_02