Top End's first potato crop in decades almost ready for harvest
A South Australian potato company is preparing to harvest the Northern Territory's first crop of commercially grown potatoes in decades.
A South Australian potato company, Zerella Holdings, is preparing to harvest the Northern Territory's first commercially grown potatoes in decades. The crop, developed by the company, will be ready for harvest in eight weeks following its planting in May. Zerella Holdings has cultivated around 70 hectares of seed potatoes at its farm north of Katherine.
The harvested potatoes will be transported by rail to South Australia, where they will be cultivated into food-grade potatoes early next year. The company, which has faced challenges from feral pigs, is confident in managing the impact of the pests. The Top End's warm weather and favorable soil conditions have contributed to the successful growth of the crop, with Mr. Pye, the farm manager, praising the water quality.
Although feral pigs have damaged a portion of the crop, the company remains optimistic about its commercial viability.
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