Unknown to much of the rest of the globe, Indonesia is among the world’s best-suited countries for growing potatoes. Of course, not all of the country. Ideal for potato farming are flat tropical highlands (elevation above 800 meters), and this is what we have in some areas of the Indonesian archipelago, including the province of North Sumatra.

Potato farming on the flat highland areas of North Sumatra allows for three harvests per year. While in Europe and the US, a hectare may yield between 60 and 70 tons per harvest, the average harvest in Indonesia may only be 30 to 35 tons. However, in Europe and the US, fields yield just 1 harvest per year, while on the tropical highlands of North Sumatra, 3 harvests per year are possible.

That the yield per harvest currently still is substantially lower than what is achieved in Europe and the US has nothing to do with the North Sumatra soil not being fertile enough, or a lack of industry on the part of North Sumatran farmers.

As a matter of fact, the soils are very fertile, and Batak farmers are known for their extraordinary skills in tilling their land. However, there so far is not enough industrial optimization. Applying latest Western techniques, North Sumatra highland potato farms should be able to produce 150 tons per hectare per year.