One of Europe’s major potato demonstrations, PotatoEurope, will take place near Springe, about 30km southwest of Hanover, on 3-4 September.

The event will feature planting and harvesting demonstrations, as well as grading and handling equipment.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Martin Umhar, chairman of Germany’s potato industry organisation UNIKA, said that crop prospects look good for potatoes in Europe this year.

Jan Paul van Hoven of the European Arable Farmers association suggested a scarcity of surface water in parts of the world is a real and growing concern for food production. Mr van Hoven also said farm-saved seed is a disincentive to increasing cereal yields. He said global wheat production increased by just under 2% annually between 1965 and 2008 yields compared to over 5% for soyabeans. The withdrawal of government-funded research during much of this period is partly responsible.

PotatoEurope is organised by the DLG (German agricultural society) and UNIKA.