Taking Angola’s Potato Industry From Tuber to Tater

Dr. Andrew Robinson, a North Dakota State University and University of Minnesota Agricultural Extension potato researcher, visited Angola in early March 2017 to consult on potato production practices.  The visit followed discussions with one of the members of the 55+ member Angolan delegation to the Big Iron Farm Show in September 2016. As part of the Big Iron International Visitors Program, some Angolans visited a potato field where potatoes were being harvested. Dr. Robinson provided technical insights into potato production and storage processes, and he stunned everyone present when he began speaking fluent Portuguese with the Angolans. 

One of the delegation members had a strong interest in expanding potato production in Angola, as consumption is high but local production is low. Dr. Robinson was invited to Angola, where he toured fields and facilities in Kwanza Sul and Huambo provinces; and he is now working with producers to develop expansion strategies. 

“Local small-scale potato farmers replant the seed year after year, often in the same plot of land, and lack resources to grow a healthy crop,” said Robinson. “However, there is an interest in improving production quality and quantity, including by well resourced investors, due to the financial opportunity. With time, effort and vision, there is great potential for Angolans to use their ample land and water resources to provide sufficient food for the population. Potatoes are a great crop to jump start the farming economy by providing a large amount of food and value to the people of Angola.” 

Now that a relationship has been established between Angolan producers and North Dakota expertise, additional commercial connections are already emerging, such as for irrigation, seed and equipment. 

The Big Iron International Visitors Program is organized each year by the North Dakota Trade Office and the U.S. Commercial Service. The 2016 Angolan delegation was recruited with the strong support of the U.S. Commercial Service office in Angola and the Government of Angola. NDSU’s Agricultural Extension Service supports farmers and North Dakota with educational and research support, with the goal of improving crop quality. 

For more information on how the U.S. Commercial Service can help your business export, contact Heather Ranck at Heather.Ranck@trade.gov or visit www.export.gov/NorthDakota.