Potatoes South Australia association recently took action and responded to the concerns of its members, stakeholders and their families, by stepping in to help some of the potato farmers on Kangaroo Island that were affected by the devastating Australian bushfires. The association pledged to replace some of the hundreds of bio-secure wooden bins that were destroyed in the fire.

The wildfires have ravaged more than one-third of Kangaroo Island which is a significant contributor to the Australian Potato Industry due to the Island’s stringent biosecurity protocols. South Australia (mainland) is Australia’s largest producer of certified seed (27%) and the island produces an additional 16%.

Last month, all seed-producing properties were damaged with some being completely destroyed.

“We knew that bins for harvest were top priority and we wanted to help in a practical way,” said Robbie Davis, Potatoes South Australia CEO.

The Association decided to provide 500 new bins to the producers on the island and contracted CMTP, an Australian company specializing in movability and protection packaging systems.