| “Second best is just not good enough”, say potato producers as they consider potato varieties, make their purchase decisions and risk their capital to produce potatoes. Developing the best varieties is the driving factor upon which HZPC bases its extensive research and development program.
Located in the North of Holland, within sight of the North Sea, is the HZPC potato breeding station. With a compliment of dedicated potato breeders and a host of associated breeders, HZPC screens hundreds of thousands of potential potato varieties in a continuing search for truly superior potato variety candidates.
Yield is a significant factor in this search but is only one of numerous characteristics that must be present before a potential candidate will even be considered. Is it resistant to diseases? Can it be grown in a number of environments? How does it taste? These are only a few of the questions that must be asked and answered during
HZPC's ten year selection process.
Once a potato variety candidate has been given our star of approval, it must be presented to potential clients in as many market locations as possible. Field trials and demonstration sites are required before customers will take a chance and grow a potentially better new variety, rather than varieties they are accustomed to producing.
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