Week 2 Subject Matter Expert Changes

Stack Up Those Potatoes!

What we did we do this week?

Went Farm Visiting!aka. Market Research

Farm Visiting

Kok Fah Technology Farm P/L

@ Kranji Countryside

What’s so special?• It has a “market” area where farmers congregate• “Farm” area in the backyard

Farm Visiting

Our original motive• Seek out a farmer or a farm that grew potatoes• Find out how to optimize growth and yield• Compare planting strategies

Farm Visiting

The Reality• Our Subject Matter Expert, (a real

life farmer!) said that the yields would be exceedingly low

• And there are much more issues to consider

Farm Visiting

Advise from our SME• Switch from potatoes to sweet potatoes

Why?• Sweet potatoes are more pest and disease resistant• Require less “work” and “care”• Harvest is faster, yield is higher in the tropics

Farm Visiting

Optimizing the yield• Hot weather• Good drainage• Phosphorus-based fertilizer

Farm Visiting

Is it better?

YES!!!• Better source of bio-energy• Less fertilizer needed• Less dependence on soil quality• Unlike potatoes, sweet potatoes will not become

toxic.

Farm Visiting

Anything else?• Deliver saplings not tubers

Farm Visiting

Anything else?• Plant in between fruit trees

Our Progress

Planted Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes

Our Progress

Planted Potatoes and Sweet Potatoes