By Ewan Pate, farming editor

THE FLAG of the People’s Republic of China was flying above the Scottish Crop Research Institute at Invergowrie yesterday to welcome a top-level delegation from that country.

It was led by the deputy minister of agriculture, Baocheng Zhu, surely one of the key figures in supplying food to the country’s 1.3 billion population.

His visit could mark a breakthrough in Scottish efforts to supply seed potatoes to China.

Concerns over introducing European potato diseases have previously held up efforts to supply the largest market in the world.

Since last autumn it has been possible to send high-health micro tubers to China and the way now looks clear for the long-hoped-for consignments of conventionally grown seed to head for the Orient.

Baocheng Zhu, giving some idea of the size of the industry in China, said, “The land area given over to potato growing in China accounts for about a quarter of the total world production.

“It’s a major food source in China and most provinces cultivate potatoes. The planting areas are growing steadily.”

In fact, the country grows a staggering 4.5 million hectares.

Yields are low at around 15 tonnes per hectare, but the total tonnage has doubled to 66 million tonnes over the past 15 years.

Surprisingly, in what is seen as a highly regulated society, the Chinese have never developed a seed certification scheme and poor-quality seed has been a limiting factor.

Dr Kevin O’Donnel, head of potato and plant health with the Scottish Agricultural Science Agency, was on hand yesterday to explain the certification scheme in Scotland.

“Hopefully, the Chinese will have already seen the benefits of mini tubers and become keen to try field-grown,” he said.

“It is too early to say what varieties would suit, but it is a huge opportunity.”

Kate Libei Li, of the Chinese consulate in Edinburgh, said, “Your seed potato control systems here appear to be the best in the world. There is also a very special research facility here at SCRI, which is unique.

“We have a very big potato industry and hope to see our crop reach 78 million tonnes by 2010.”

Professor Peter Gregory, chief executive of SCRI, said, “We have worked hard in China and now have six agreements in place.

“One involves sending mini tubers to a national academy near Beijing.

“Soft fruit is also of interest, especially blackcurrants and raspberries.”

It appears that although blackcurrants are well known in China the raspberry is more of a novelty.

“Apart from the crops we are also building up links with a soil science academy near Nanjing where we will be looking at sustainability of production systems and environmental projects,” said Professor Gregory.

“There is also a regular exchange of scientists on-going, which I see as a vital transfer of knowledge in both directions.

“This could be a great market for all sorts of Scottish land-based technology.”

The commercial development of the research at SCRI is in the hands of Mylnefield Research Services.

Managing director at MRS is Nigel Kerby, who is also a board member of the China Britain Business Council.

He was very involved in the discussions which resulted in an open door for potato micro tubers.

The next step will be to do the same for field-grown high-grade seed.

The trade in agricultural products to China has so far proved to be tempting but elusive.

Scottish seed potatoes might yet make the breakthrough.