The Division of Agriculture is pleased to announce that a 40ft container containing 1,080 50kg bags of Diseree (pronounced DES-E-RAY) White Potato seeds have arrived on the island and are now available for sale at EC$80.00 per bag.
It is expected that farmers from the traditional areas of Giraudel, Bellevue Chopin and Cochrane will take advantage of this opportunity and purchase their seeds early.
This begins that traditional Irish Potato Season of establishment of this short term three-month crop and the expectation is to have over 50 acres cultivated islandwide.
Irish Potato (Solanum tuberosum) belongs to the plant family Solanaceae and is an important seasonal vegetable in Dominica. Other members of the family include tomato, pepper and eggplant. Over the years, has been the variety imported.
Based on research undertaken by the Division of Agriculture technical staff and a demand from farmers the intention is to cultivate the crops in a few selected areas besides the main areas of Giraudel and Bellevue Chopin such as: Vieux Bois in Geneva, Upper Grand Fond, heights of Marigot and River La Croix (Upper Massacre).
Additionally it is hoped that two new varieties, Camil and El Mundo, also obtained by the Division of Agriculture will be established on Agricultural Stations and selected farmers for trial purposes to ascertain the suitability of the variety vis-a-vis the island’s soil and climatic conditions.
This year the Division of Agriculture recommends an early planting season as early as mid-November so as to avoid the onset of the dry season which usually begins in February with a maximum yield ratio of 1:8 and to enable farmers to undertake a second crop establishment as opposed to just one.
This is interesting. I had no idea those potatoes could be grown in Dominica. I love potatoes. In French, they are called pommes de terre. Therefore, why not grown in Dominica?
Makes us enjoy winter. 
They could be prepared in many ways as also sweet potatoes: Mashed potatoes, potato gratin, scalloped potatoes, creamed potatoes, fries (as in French fries) and baked. Also potatoes and carrots. Are we feeling hungry?
I bought a 10lb bag for $1.88. The last time it was $1.97. It is now $3.97. It is getting closer to Christmas when costs escalate. Nevertheless, it is still a good buy, as we call it. I recall when a bag on sale would cost 0.99 cents.
This is the time of year for sales of vegetables, after harvest and preparation for winter. Then the produce becomes expensive. We enjoy those sales with nine months of winter to go.
I knew the cost would increase. I bought more than one bag so that I will not have to purchase any until after Christmas. They last, if kept in a cool place. In between cooking rice, etc., also prepared in different ways the potatoes will last long.
I hope those that are grown in Dominica will not be too expensive. Try to keep the costs low so that everyone could afford to purchase them.
When they are too expensive, few people will purchase them. You know they will rot which will be a loss for the farmers. This is why we have sales in these countries. Try not to let this happen and go to waste. Good luck!
I always thought Desiree was a red-skinned potato and not a white-skinned variety as shown in the picture. DNO please check.
Désirée potatoes are red skinned and yellow fleshed.
Yellow potatoes are primarily called Yukon, gold potatoes.
agree
There are different types of potatoes. There are also russet potatoes and the yellow fleshed ones. Also the tiny ones.