Scholar calls for a better connected spud sector

That was the conclusion of Nuffield scholar Claire Hodge, a potato industry professional who has just published her Nuffield Farming report titled ‘Improving connectivity in the seed potato supply chain’, sponsored by the MacRobert Trust.

Claire travelled to Kenya, India, South America, USA, and Europe for much of her study, speaking with experts across the supply chain in both emerging and established markets. She explored different supply chain frameworks and established how digital tools and business structures support connectivity in the supply chain.

“Throughout my travels, I observed that connectivity was not just about the framework of the supply chain but, most importantly, about the mindset of the people within it,” she said. “I found that the global potato industry is full of opportunities and is constantly expanding in its ability to connect.

“On reflection, the UK has a complex supply chain that has become technically detailed in order to produce a consistent product. These chains are often linear and not circular, and there is a need to connect the seed producer at either end of the chain, to researchers and the consumer at the other, so that the whole industry can respond to challenges and change faster.”

From her learnings, Claire makes the recommendation that the Scottish potato industry should consider redesigning its current structure to make better use the technology available globally and address consumer demands.

“Now is a good time for the Scottish potato industry to establish how potatoes will be grown in the future and be part of the growth in potatoes as a global food. This will require strong connectivity throughout the industry with a focus on customers, the environment, policy, technology and the economics of production,” she concluded.

Her report is now available on the Nuffield Farming website at www.nuffieldscholar.org/reports or can be downloaded directly at bit.ly/3w0vI6D