Ivan Curran on ‘nightmare’ year for planting potatoes in Ireland.
Farmers are scrambling to get potatoes planted during the dry weather spell, hoping to make up for a shortfall caused by the worst rainfall some have experienced in 40 years.
Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue has warned there is a “challenge” in the sector, after announcing a support package at the Fianna Fáil ard fheis offering €100 a hectare to farmers who plant field crops and vegetables this year.
Adverse weather in recent months means consumers are facing a possible rise in the price of potatoes – as well as products such as crisps.
Farmers are playing catch-up and have used the recent spell of drier weather to begin their planting.
Credit to : Irish Independent