Improved Irish Potato Trial Yields Could Reduce Imports, Minister Bruce Reports

By S.Browne. Updated 12:53 p.m., Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Improved yields recorded in Irish potato trials in St. Vincent and the Grenadines could support efforts to reduce importation, according to Minister of Agriculture Israel Bruce.

His comments came after he visited three experimental plots in the Belle Isle area, including a plot farmed by inmates at the Belle Isle prison facility.

Speaking from the prison farm site, Minister Bruce said the data indicate improved performance in the 2026 trials compared to previous experimental cycles. “The data indicate that the 2026 yields have surpassed those achieved in previous experiments,” he said.

He added that the results could support efforts to reduce reliance on imports. “It means, therefore, that we can begin to contemplate reducing our importation of Irish potatoes into St. Vincent and the Grenadines.”

“We are duty-bound to continue to push this type of production. It’s the only way we’re going to reduce importation and give us even a possibility to do export. Even if we don’t get to the point where we export the white potato, we could get to the point where we don’t have to import it. And that would be a significant game changer”, the Minister of Agriculture said.

Highlighting the contribution of the prison farm, Minister Bruce said there is potential for the Belle Isle facility to supplement its food supplies with Irish potatoes grown on-site.

Accordingly, he noted the wider cost implications for the correctional system. “In terms of the reduction of costs of having to buy food imported to feed the prisoners. Of course, there’s still a cost in planting the seed and taking care of it. But I believe the cost is reduced significantly by the production that is happening here.”

Minister Bruce added that locally grown Irish potatoes could also complement existing crops such as dasheen and support agricultural diversification.

He also urged farmers to follow guidance from the planning unit and extension services.

“We can’t have a system with ill-discipline in it. So, when we say to you that the potato is not going to be suitable for your area, don’t start thinking that the Ministry and the Minister don’t want you to produce potatoes. That’s not it. They’re using the intel that they have, and we want to make sure that if you’re planting ginger, you’ll get the best price for ginger.”

Meanwhile, Agriculture Instructor Iasha Cambridge said the yields and sizes, particularly from participating farmers, are quite promising, with little spoilage observed.

“So, with the training that has been done so far, and with the help of the extension officers, they tend to, well, it’s evident that they did guide the farmers pretty well, and the yields have shown pretty good so far with the farmers and them that we have checked.”

“We also had a farmer who reported that he had over 1,200 pounds of potatoes harvested already from just a small area of land,” Cambridge said.

END

This information was sourced from a press release sent to us by the Agency for Public Information.