The hunt is on for a new batch of tattie roguers to help keep Scotland’s seed potato industry disease-free.
The Scottish seed potato industry is worth an estimated £221 million a year to the economy.
Around 11,000 hectares of the crop are grown in Scotland every year, producing around 80% of the seed potatoes grown in the UK.
The rest are exported worldwide to countries like Egypt last week the Potato Council said exports to Egypt were up 20% this season.
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) says tattie roguers are key to maintaining Scotland’s reputation of producing seed potatoes free from fungal, bacterial or virus diseases.
As a result, the college is holding three week-long potato roguing courses in Fife and Aberdeen in June.
“It is a skilled job with real responsibility, but one that is ideal for somebody keen on spending the summer out of doors instead of an office,” said SRUC potato disease researcher Dr Daan Kiezebrink.
“Once qualified, roguers can earn £10 to £15 an hour, depending on experience.
“That can equate to £3,550 in a season and with annual refresher courses it is a summer job that can last for years.”
He said roguers were trained to walk through each crop, spot an affected plant and then pull it out into a bag they carry across their shoulders before disposing of it safely.
“We teach the roguers about the different potato varieties and how to identify virus diseases and other variations,” added Dr Kiezebrink.
“They are taught general roguing practice and the standards laid down by the Scottish Government’s Potato Inspection scheme. Successful candidates receive a certificate.”
The courses are five days long and cost £325 each.
The first two will take place at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Fife on June 16-20 and June 23-27, while a course will also run near Aberdeen at the Craibstone campus, on June 18-24.
SRUC said course dates may change as students are trained using growing crops.