A new greenhouse complex has opened in the Moscow region, dedicated to seed potato production. The complex operates year-round and includes a genetic center for developing new potato varieties, production facilities for growing seed potatoes of all grades, and diagnostic tests for plant pathogens. With the required self-sufficiency levels of Russia for seed potatoes and potato production material established at 75% and 95%, respectively, the facility’s capacity is significant enough to minimize the import of seed potatoes.
According to the Federal Customs Service, 17.4 thousand tons of seed potatoes were imported in 2021. The successful implementation of the project may reduce the volume of imported seed materials to a minimum. The project’s investments are estimated to be low, considering that the greenhouses built under this project will cost about three times less than the usual ones.
Russia has over 500 potato varieties, of which more than half are domestic, but only 20 varieties are popular, and all are of foreign selection. The Russian government aims to increase self-sufficiency in seed materials to 75% by 2030.
The federal program to promote domestic breeding, which was adopted in 2018 and extended to 2030, has registered almost 40 potato varieties. If the registration of 20-30 new domestic varieties is continued annually, there will be over 500 registered varieties by 2030.
The new greenhouse complex in the Moscow region will undoubtedly contribute to the development of the domestic potato breeding industry, increase the self-sufficiency of seed potatoes and potato production material in Russia, and promote sustainable agriculture in the country.
