Registered Seed Potato Growers

Certified seed potatoes are annually produced by approximately ±95 registered seed potato growers under the supervision and administration of Potato Certification Service.  Any potato producer who is able to comply with the requirements of the South African Seed Potato Certification Scheme may apply for registration as a seed grower.  Each seed potato grower is allocated a unique grower code, which is linked to all his plantings.

Current growers

A prescribed registration fee per hectare is payable and is reviewed annually.  Current growers may pay registration fees in one payment at the time of registration or in two installments, namely one with registration and the second on 150 days after planting.  Any grower who already obtained a grower code, but did not register a seed potato planting during the past four years, shall be regarded as a new grower and shall in addition, pay an administration fee equal to the amount per hectare for certification services.  This amount shall be payable during the first two consecutive plantings and shall not be refundable.

New growers

New growers, as well as existing growers, who did not register a seed potato planting under the Scheme for four years, are required to obtain a certificate by writing an open-book exam to prove knowledge of the Scheme, Protocol, applicable legal aspects and seed potato production.  An open-book exam shall be compiled for this purpose.  All new growers, newly appointed members of the authority, as well as seed growers who failed to adhere to the Scheme and Protocol will be required to successfully obtain this certificate.  A pass mark of 75% must be obtained.  In failing to pass the exam, growers will need to rewrite the exam within two months.

New growers (beginner farmers) who receive a grower code for the first time and plant 10 hectares or less for two consecutive plantings and certify his seed potato crop, only pay a single fee with registration.  New growers or beginner farmers who register more than 10 hectares pay an administration fee equal to the amount per hectare for certification services.  This amount shall be payable during the first two consecutive plantings and shall not be refundable. Registration fees for new growers are fully payable at time of registration.

All registered seed growers are invited to contact the web administrator to submit contact details for publishing on this page.