NEWS FEATURE


SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES LOOM C


limate change is inevitable as is its impact on life as we know it. To


this end, Dr Mike Storey, Head of Research and Development for the Potato Council, has been leading research into the impact of climate change on future potato crops in the UK. A recent study with


Cranfield University and the University of Cambridge examined the impact of climate change scenarios on potato yield and water use; the impacts on land suitability and management and the adaptation options for dealing with greater climate uncertainty. In a presentation on the project at BP 2011 in Harrogate, Storey


(pictured) also outlined key sustainability issues, revolving (mainly) around water. Looking ahead to 2050, researchers forecast a future potential


yield expected to increase by 13-16 per cent in the UK with a marginal increase of farm yields (by 3-6 per cent). However, future irrigation requirements would need to increase by 14-30 per cent to maintain the same level of production. And with the future ‘average year’ more like a current ‘dry year’, irrigation is crucial. Schemes could fail to meet future peak irrigation demand in 50 per cent of the years, said Storey. A rapid increase in on-farm


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reservoirs during the 1990s and early 2000s took place in response to droughts and licence restrictions. The British government sees this as the key solution to agricultural water needs but winter abstraction will not always be available. He said 42 per cent of holdings have reservoirs providing 30 per cent of agricultural water used in 2005. Water use rated among the top five research and development


concerns by potato growers with the others being disease and crop nutrition, Storey told his audience. “Demand and competitiveness will continue to drive industry


R&D agendas,” Storey said. “Sustainability measures often relate to production and business efficiency and, while climate change is real, it will have a limited effect on land suitability. However the industry needs to implement adaptation measures to protect water availability and improve use.” With water being a key sustainability issue, Storey said there is


a perception that potatoes use a lot of water as they are often irrigated during the dry summer months. Do they use more water than other crops? No, says Storey. “Potatoes use less water to produce a crop than winter wheat


or barley and they have a shorter growing season. The ‘virtual’ or ‘embedded’ water content of wheat is almost seven times greater than for potatoes and potato yields are higher than wheat.” Over half the water used for irrigation in England is applied to


potato crops and 60 per cent of irrigation water is applied in the Anglian region where resources are under pressure, he said. Future crop production needed to be efficient, Storey


concluded. n Potato Processing Int. Magazine - Digital Digest • www.potatobusiness.com 1­ 2


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