Sustainable Potato Production Innovation Visit

The two-day visit will be to Scotland where growers deal with similar disease and climate conditions to here in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 13 January and Thursday 14 January 2027. During the visit delegates will see new innovations in potato production and hear from Scottish growers about their experiences and the benefits they have achieved from adopting new technologies.

One of the newest technologies that will be viewed is optical grading. Cost and availability of labour is becoming a bigger issue on potato farms. Optical grading reduces labour requirement and helps improve consistency of grading. Growers will see three different operating optical grading systems, providing insights into how they are being integrated into existing grading and potato-handling systems.

The visit will also provide the opportunity to see innovations in store management that improve efficiency and integrate renewable energy to improve business sustainability. One potato producer will demonstrate how regenerative rotations and changes in cultivations have improved soil health on his farm.

Scotland has been tackling increasing potato cyst nematode (PCN) levels over the last number of years. One grower will demonstrate how they have used monitoring and resistant varieties to help manage this issue.

Increasing costs of production are very much on all growers’ minds. Another host farm will demonstrate a recording system they have developed to help them identify and track costs of individual operations to better inform their decision making and ensure they are as cost effective as possible.

Over the two days the visit will provide a unique opportunity to see how growers in Scotland are adopting new technology to improve the future sustainability of their potato businesses.

Applications are invited from one member or employee of a farm business, who is 18 years old or over on the application closing date. Eighteen places are available on this visit; these will be allocated with preference given to those who meet the selection criteria. Applicants must commit to attending pre and post trip training with dates to be arranged. Preference will be given to applicants who have not been on a previous Innovation Visit.

Farming for Sustainability – Innovation Scheme, is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Programme. Costs associated with setting up the visit, accommodation, travel and meals will be covered by the programme. Participants will be expected to meet any additional costs, including farm relief and travel insurance.

Farmers interested in participating can find out more details visiting the Innovation Visits section in the Business Support area of CAFRE website: www.cafre.ac.uk. Applications close at 4:00pm on Friday 13 November 2026.