This year's field day was held at the NedaLibya Trial Field at the farm of of Mr. Abu Zayed El Abyed in Gasr Ben Gasheer, Marazig area.

The day started with a tour of the field, where Jaap Mazee, HZPC-potato specialist, and Ghait El Bashaa demonstrated the new varieties. Visitors were invited to on the spot harvesting to view the yields of several new varieties with their own eyes.

After this practical start to the day, visitors were invited into the tent where Ghait El Bashaa held the first lecture of the day, on the inspection and logistics of potato transport, and the importance of new varieties. The main short term advantages of new varieties are that they bring more variety into the local market and provide better resistance to viruses and diseases such as scab. Some new varieties also have a shorter growing season, which enables a more efficient water usage. By being first on the market, farmers can set the price. These advantages can be achieved whilst maintaining the good yields that growers of HZPC-Spunta are accustomed to. After the lecture, the Video 'HZPC Company Profile' was shown, which explains the HZPC method, all the way from seed potato to finished product.

Second speaker of the day was Engineer Abdel Azziz Bakir of Tajuri Company. His lecture 'Nutrional Needs of the Potato Crop' investigated the different elements a potato needs in order to produce satisfactory yields. Apart from good soil and good water, special attention is required for the use of fertilizer as some deficiencies in potatoes are caused by a lack of certain trace elements, such as Manganese. This can be prevented by using fertilizer which has these trace elements added to the usual NPK.

Mr. Eng. Khaled Abusnaina, also of Tajuri Company, held the final lecture of the day titled 'Common diseases in the Potato Crop'. To be able to prevent diseases and recognise them in their early stages is an important part of disease management. To help grow a healthy crop, regular crop rotation is recommended to keep the soil healthy, as well as using good quality seed potatoes. Some diseases, such as tuber moth can be largely prevented by good hilling & ridging. This prevents the moths from being able to reach the potatoes.

After the official programme the day was closed with a festive tombola and lunch at the house of Mr. Abu Zayed El Abyed for all visitors, offered in cooperation with El Mazra company.

For more photos of the field day and an overview of the 12 HZPC-varieties, check out our Photo Gallery.