As the harvest season is now well underway and the food is offered for sale at DEXIA’s Roseau Pack House and shops throughout the island, the Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA) encourages the consumption of locally grown white potatoes.

As part of the collaborative White Potato Program with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, DEXIA’s General Manager, Paula Platsko, said this call is an extension of the assistance the agency has been providing to farmers.

“Our farmers are reaping potatoes and the harvest looks promising so far and so we are taking this opportunity to alert the public about their availability and encouraging them to give their support to our local farmers who have outdone themselves this season,” Platsko remarked.

Through the program, DEXIA has helped farmers by selling seeds, fertilizer, and agrochemicals. In addition, DEXIA now has a 20-foot temperature-controlled container thanks to a gift from the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), which will be utilized for curing potatoes after harvest.

“The quality of the potatoes we have been receiving so far, is of a very high standard, and I expect our consumers will be satisfied with their purchases,” said Bristol Lawrence, Head of Operations at DEXIA’s Multi-Purpose Pack Houses (MPPH), where all potatoes are received, sorted and subsequently sold to wholesalers, retailers, and even restaurants and hotels who typically order large quantities.

Consumers have in the past criticized the taste and hardness of the neighborhood white potatoes. Lawrence is certain that this time, consumers’ perceptions will change for the better.

“Some of the past issues were due to poor post-harvest handling of the potatoes. To mitigate this, we have done some post-harvest training with farmers in conjunction with WUSC. Additionally, we have provided them with crates and also offered to collect and cure the potatoes in our facilities to further ensure a quality product that we feel consumers will appreciate,” Lawrence declared.

Steve Lecointe, a farmer in the Coulibistrie Heights for the past 20 years, has already delivered some of his harvests to DEXIA and intends to provide more as the season progresses and his staggered crops reach maturity. At the Roseau Market, he sold the first batch to rave reviews.

“I brought nine crates and all sold out and people were asking for more,” Lecointe added.

Two young farmers from Calibishie, Marcel George and Lenny Aubrey, have both purchased seeds and provided potatoes to DEXIA as part of the white potato program. Both reaffirm that their potatoes have received favorable client reviews.

“Well I sold most of my potatoes to DEXIA and some in my community and all have sold out and I got good feedback about the size and the flavor. No complaints so far,” says George.

For his part, Aubrey is very encouraged by the interest in his crop and is already excitedly looking to the next season.

“The feedback is great! I have no complaints and I am already ready to buy seeds for next season,” Aubrey mentioned.

Two young farmers from Calibishie, Marcel George and Lenny Aubrey, have both purchased seeds and provided potatoes to DEXIA as part of the white potato program. Both reaffirm that their potatoes have received favorable client reviews.

“I think people have a certain image in their mind of what a good quality potato looks like and many are surprised to find that the potato they are selecting that they oftentimes think is imported is grown here.”

She encourages consumers to purchase and taste for themselves.

“It is a worthwhile purchase. Tasty, nutritious, and local. You can’t go wrong with that,” Audrey summed up.