THE past decade witnessed a big drop in the number of farms in Kerry growing potatoes, from 330 in 2000 to 41 in 2010, according to the latest census results from the Central Statistics Office.
However, the average farm area under potatoes in Kerry increased significantly in the same period, suggesting that small-scale potato growing declined as some of the larger growers increased their acreage.
In 2000, 197 hectares were in use for spuds in the county and by 2010 that figure had decreased to 160 hectares. The average farm area under potatoes rose significantly, from .6 of a hectare in 2000 to 3.9 hectares in 2010.
Source: Kerryman.ie – Fewer Farmers Growing Potatoes in Kerry
