Eleven grower associations belonging to the Potato Marketing Association of North America have agreed to cut back acreage in 2001 by 10 percent to get a handle on over-production problems.
Following a meeting in early November, the PMANA said it would aggressively work to reduce acreage across North America. Continual oversupply problems have left growers in financial straits.
The PMANA also says only contracted potatoes should be planted and that growers should not even consider planting open potatoes.
The effort is gaining worldwide recognition as representatives from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, the United Kingdom and Europe have expressed an interest in working with PMANA. They will all be invited to the next meeting in January to globally advance the cause of all process growers.
For information contact Vernon Delong, secretary, at (207) 764-3380 in Maine.