Sarpo Potato Cluster in Ceredigion

"After a very bad year in 2007 for potato blight, this group which grows highly blight resistant potatoes from the Sarpo Cultivars have had a very successful year.

The group consists of 3 growers in Ceredigion and two members in Conwy. One member is organic. Supported by HNW, ADAS, CALU, and the Sarvari Research Trust, the growers have benefited from technical and general support during this, their first growing season.

Many potato growers suffered from blight, but these growers appear to have come through with good yields and quality ware crops.

It is hoped that in 2008 we will be able to start to grow seed potato and therefore start to create a Welsh Potato Growers Association.

This year there have been further developments and meetings. This has resulted in an increase in interest of the Sarpo potato growing programme.

Additional farmers have come forward and expressed an interest in the original cluster which has meant that there are now eleven members of the group in the vicinity of Llanddewi Brefi near Lampeter Ceredigion.

Greener Homes Exhibition, at the Royal Welsh Showground 8th & 9th March 2008

HNW was invited to share the Forwm Tirlun stand and put on a Japanese-themed display with plants supplied by Soames Alpines, Welsh Holly and Farmyard Nurseries. The event was aimed at Architects and builders interested in 'greening' their credentials. HNW was one of many organisations and suppliers on hand to give advice and information.

Ceredigion Growers Association

Following on from the success of the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Growers Associations, there has been interest in setting up an organisation along similar lines in Ceredigion.

Horticulture Network Wales held a positive meeting mid-March with nursery owners in the county, with a view to forming a new group. Future activities identified included a print run of a new leaflet to promote the businesses within the group and plant fairs to be held in the county at Llanllyr Mansion near Talsarn, Lampeter on the 15th June and The Magic of life Butterfly House, in the Rheiddol Valley on Sunday 27th July.

HNW hosted a display of plants from the newly-formed Ceredigion Growers Association on its stand at the Smallholders and Garden Show at Builth this year. Members of the public had the opportunity to buy a wide range of plants from CGA members at this popular event.

Horticulture Network Wales is a business support project established to facilitate, support and meet the business needs of the horticulture industry in Wales.

Our aim is to deliver networks that assist Welsh horticulture companies tackle competitiveness and sustainability issues through collaboration and sharing knowledge.

Horticulture Network Wales is funded by the European Union's Interreg IIIA Programme and has the Welsh College of Horticulture and Welsh Assembly Government as funding partners.

HNW aims to support the industry through a number of tailored programmes. These activities will be available for the ornamental and edible horticulture sectors.

The project aims to develop cooperative industry clusters in the horticulture sector so that small-scale producers can access increasingly centralised markets.

The project looks to up-skill and develop entrepreneurship skills which will aid the competitiveness of potential and existing horticultural businesses.

Increased employment and the establishment of sustainable trading links will be given high priority. The project identifies market demand and opportunities through research and assists businesses to access those identified markets."

Please contact HNW if you would like to know more through our website listed to the right of this page."

Article by Sara Fox