Potatoes in Practice (PIP), the UK’s largest field event for potatoes and a season highlight, will bring the sector together in one place to view a variety of demonstrations, learn about current and new research, and view trade exhibits.

This year’s edition is a welcome return for an event that’s become a must-attend on the potato industry calendar. After canceling the event in 2020 and replacing it with a socially distant event in 2021, Potatoes in Practice is back in full force, with a full seminar program, demonstration plots, and field exhibits where the trade can interact and reconnect to discuss issues such as sustainability, food security, net-zero, pests and diseases, new varieties, IPM, and current market challenges.

Notwithstanding the many challenges for the potato industry, Potatoes in Practice 2022 is shaping up to be a vital forum for the discussion of key topics about the technical and business realities.

According to Dr. Philip Burgess, director of Scottishpotatoes.org, PIP is a unique event that brings together the whole potato supply chain into one field and the range of discussions this year will cover everything from geopolitical events to the rooting structures of different varieties.

“World events have always had an impact on the potato sector in Scotland and the current situation is no exception. Russia’s war in Ukraine has directly disrupted seed supplies as well as planting operations in the country. The full impact of these events is only just beginning to reveal themselves as the knock-on effects of food supplies around the world are felt and the impact on seed potato exports around the world is uncertain. Egypt for example imports large amounts of wheat from Ukraine and seed potatoes from Scotland while exporting substantial volumes to Russia. The Brexit agreement, despite considerable effort by many, continues to prevent the export of seed potatoes to EU countries (and Northern Ireland),” he added.

PIP will return to Balruddery Farm (Angus, Dundee DD2 5LJ) on Thursday 11th August 2022, with event partners James Hutton Institute, Agrii UK, and SRUC to focus on new research and current challenges.