1. 28.6.2015Sivu 1 Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

2. 28.6.2015Sivu 2 Basic information about the project: 2,5 year long combined Tacis-Interreg project, 1/2007–6/2009 Applicant: Ruukki Unit of Agrifood Research Finland (MTT) Project partners: Petrozavodsk State University/Faculty of Agriculture All-Karelian Information-Advisory Service Finnish Seed Potato Center Ltd ProAgria North Karelia NorTech Oulu/University of Oulu Implementation area: Republic of Karelia and Northern Ostrobothnia Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

3. 28.6.2015Sivu 3 Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009 Project is connected to the priority area 2.2. of the EKNP 2.2. Supports actions, which aim to improve the living conditions of people resident in the region The aim of the project is to develop the supply of foodstuffs in the Republic of Karelia, in particular potato Improvements through increased knowledge and international cooperation How can the Finnish expertise in the potato sector benefit the Karelian farmers and the whole Republic? What does the Finnish side gain from this cooperation?

4. 28.6.2015Sivu 4 How to improve the potato yields in the Republic of Karelia? More information about the plant diseases needed  What diseases are found, how can they be controlled? Are more disease resistant potato varieties needed?  Can the local potato varieties be purified, would some Finnish potato varieties last better in these conditions? Not just higher yields, but also higher quality  More productive potato varieties to be used, which ones are suitable for Karelia?  Fertilisation recommendations, right amount of nutrients for the right potato and the right soil Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

5. 28.6.2015Sivu 5 Main actions of the project: 1.Basic seed bank Two potato varieties currently in use in Karelia will be cleaned using tissue culture method to form disease free basic seed The suitability of two Finnish potato varieties to the Karelian production conditions will be tested 2. Diagnostics and prevention methods The plant disease situation in Karelia will be charted and recommendations will be given how to fight them Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

6. 28.6.2015Sivu 6 Main actions of the project continued: 3. Otimising the fertilisation and cultivation technology Fertilisers will be compared – are there differences in the yields, organic vs. chemical Fertilisation recommendations will be made based on these results Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

7. 28.6.2015Sivu 7 Major actions by August 2007 1. Field test was set up Two Finnish and two Russian potato varieties were planted on a farm close to Petrozavodsk Field test contains an area fertilised with chemical and another one with organic fertilisers Soil analyses were done in Karelia by the local authorities Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

8. 28.6.2015Sivu 8 Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009 2. Observations and laboratory analyses have started Researchers from PetrSU carry out weekly observations at the field Joint observation and sample collecting trip was made in July Plant material samples and Russian seed potatoes were examined ín Karelia by the local authorities prior the transportation to Finland Russian seed potatoes are now being purified in Finland Plant material samples are being examined also in Finland

9. 28.6.2015Sivu 9 Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009 Experiences and results by August 2007 At the mercy of the nature – planting of potatoes can’t wait Getting the permissions – and on time Getting the people on the same wavelength – what we are doing and why? Too early to predict the results of the growth season of 2007  If the project continues on the same track, set tasks can be acchieved

10. 28.6.2015Sivu 10 How will this project contribute to the development of potato cultivation and economic development in ROK? -More information is gathered about the potato plant disease situation in the pilot farm and in the ROK in general  Recommendations will be made on how to prevent the spreading of these and how to fight them  a publication will be made, the information will be passed to farmers -Finnish potato variaties have been tested in Karelian potato production conditions  If higher and better yields are achieved and are more disease resistant, use of Finnish seeds could improve the yields in ROK -Russian potato varieties have been purified, farmers can purchase and plant clean seeds -Results of the fertilisation experiment will be made into a publication, the information will be passed to farmers Development of Potato Technology in the Republic of Karelia 2007 - 2009

11. 28.6.2015Sivu 11 THANK YOU FOR STAYING AWAKE!

12. 28.6.2015Sivu 12 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!