PotatoEurope, 12 and 13 September 2012, Villers-Saint-Christophe (France)

Dynamic démonstrations : More than 90 pieces of equipment in action

Dynamic presentations of new equipment is one of the signature features of PotatoEurope. 22 hectares will be dedicated to demonstrations this year, or 20% more than the 2008 edition in France. These activities contribute to the success of this European event that is organised in France once every four years, on a rotating basis with the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Read more...

Active research in a dynamic, economically viable and sustainable sector

A French specificity, potato professionals have their own research and development institute. Technical innovations by ARVALIS - Institut du végétal and key players in the sector will be on display in 4 technical areas: genetic resources and varietal innovations, prophylaxis and crop protection, water and soil management and, for the first time this year, an area dedicated to progress in tuber conservation.

GENETIC RESOURCES AND VARIETAL INNOVATIONS AREA

The diversity of potato varieties, which has grown significantly in France, underlines the energy deployed by research teams to respond to a multitude of uses and outlets for French production, as well as the need to adapt to agronomic and environmental challenges. Read more...

WATER AND FERTILISER COVERS AREA

Water, like fertiliser, is one of the technical aspects of potato cultivation that influences production levels as well as tuber quality. Intermediate cover species contribute to managing nitrogen levels, but also to pest management. Read more ...

PROPHYLAXIS AND CROP PROTECTION AREA

Any problem tackled at its roots is a problem...solved...! The protection area will show how to significantly reduce dependence on chemical products in potato farming through waste management, varietal resistance or rotation, but also making weaker doses more effective thanks to grinding before haulm destruction. Read more...

The commercial village

The commercial village with around forty trade agents and cooperatives. This is where trading will take place for the fresh produce and plant markets. Booths and international pavilions will allow visitors to establish ties with operators and suppliers from the Netherlands, Belgium; Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Italy and, this year, the United States, New Zealand and China.

With 250 exhibitors, PotatoEurope is also a trade show.

Manufacturers of agricultural equipment, suppliers of fertilisers, crop protection products, equipment for handling, storage and conservation of potatoes and industrialists in finished potato products will welcome visitors in a nearly 10,000m² exhibition hall and on the demonstration plots. Read more ...

CONFERENCES ON CURRENT PROFESSIONAL

Proposed programme :

• The French market for finished potato products (GIPT)
• Development of French exports on the fresh produce market (CNIPT)
• Results of studies on production costs (ARVALIS/UNPT)
• Development of plants for export (GNIW/FN3PT)

• Technical issues and advices in relation with potato growing
• Growing and storage management: potato cultivation, fertilisation, crop protection
• Specific techniques for the production of potatoes: soil preparation and planting, harvesting, handling of potatoes, store filling , sorting and packaging
• Technique for preparing and storing the harvest: techniques for decloding, sorting, transport, storage, removing from storage, warehouse management and ventilation
• Potato processing techniques: preparation and transformation, measurement, regulation and weighing techniques, analyses, packaging techniques, ventilation  and artificial cooling techniques
• Dynamic presentations of machines: planting, harvesting and quality sorting
• Management, trade, services: processing, commerce, systems for quality assurance, documentation, certification, agricultural information technology, media and publishing groups
• Agricultural organisations: associations, unions, growers associations
• Science and research: specialists, research institutes, development organisations