The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Ecuador has revealed a new potato variety called Iniap-Fatima, which is said to be more resistant to diseases, reports El Comercio. What’s more, the potato can be harvested earlier, between 125 and 150 days, compared to other varieties that require up to 180 days.

Iniap-Fatima has been obtained in a research carried out by the National Institute of Agricultural Research (Iniap), the MAG, and the Bolivar State University (UEB).

According to the report, the new variety has pink skin and yellow flesh. It is moderately resistant to disease, such as late blight. The MAG informed that its seeds had been delivered to farmers. The tuber can be used in soups, to make mash potatoes, tortillas, and fried potatoes, among other preparations.

According to the director of the Iniap, Juan Manuel Dominguez who was cited by the report, the new variety was created as an alternative to improve the productivity of small farmers. It’s a cross between the Iniap-Gabriela variety with a hybrid between egg yolk (Solanum phureja) and the wild variety (Solanum paucissectum).