The Santana potato variety is renowned globally for its exceptional processing capabilities, particularly in the production of high-quality fries. Its oblong shape and yellow flesh are highly prized, contributing to the distinct golden hue that makes it a premium choice for French fries worldwide. Delving into the backstory of the Santana potato unveils a fascinating narrative of breeding and evolution within the potatoes realm.
Santana’s lineage can be traced back to its inception under “Van Rijn,” who is rumoured to have initially acquired the seeds from Hettema. The Van Rijn family established their enterprise in 1855, focusing on cultivating and commercialising potatoes with a strong presence in the ABC Westland region of the Netherlands. As the potato industry evolved, Santana underwent significant transformations in its ownership. Van Rijn sold its potato activities to the KWS Group potato in 2010, and subsequently, STET Holland B.V. acquired all Santana activities from KWS Potato in 2016. Today, STET assumes the role of Santana’s custodian, holding ownership rights and overseeing the licensing process that enables processors to leverage the variety’s unique attributes. Through strategic partnerships, STET ensures that Santana continues to make a significant impact in the potato processing sector, honouring its rich lineage and legacy. Notably, STET Holland B.V. holds ownership rights, protecting the variety in India until 2035.
The journey of Santana in India began in 1997, when McCain’s, a prominent player in the potato industry, unveiled ambitious plans to venture into the Indian market. This bold move was marked by a substantial investment of Rs.1 billion ($25 million) dedicated specifically to the potato fry business. McCain embarked on an extensive search for the optimal region to cultivate these new breeds. Their search concluded in Mehsana, located in north Gujarat, a region blessed with a stretched wintry condition vital for potato growth and the availability of land suitable for contract farming.
McCain commenced setting up its plant in Gujarat in 2005 and initiated the cultivation of two shortlisted varieties after eight years of dedicated research by their agronomy team. However, it soon became evident that the selected Indian potato varieties were not ideal for the business. The specific requirements for fry production demanded potatoes that were larger in size and possessed less water content, qualities that the native Indian varieties often lacked, proving to be neither great yielders nor efficient for storage.
At this critical juncture, Technico Agri Sciences emerged as a key collaborator, working closely with McCain India and offering invaluable insights to navigate the evolving landscape of the potato industry. Mr. Sachid Madan, then COO of Technico, played a pivotal role in advocating for Santana. Santana was lauded for its excellence in producing high-quality French fries, a reputation already well-established in Egypt through its usage by Farm Frites. Enthusiastically, McCain’s India imported the first batch of Santana potatoes, marking the true commencement of Santana’s remarkable journey in the country.
Following this pivotal import, McCain worked closely with Indian farmers to facilitate the rapid multiplication of Santana. They actively encouraged farmers to adopt new agronomy practices, emphasising the reliance on quality seed, drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, new planting techniques, and contemporary methods of potato storing. The Gujarat Government provided strong support through programmes focused on micro-irrigation, cold storage, and electricity, crucial for sustainable potato cultivation. These concerted efforts have enabled Santana to now produce upwards of 50 MT/ha of high-quality, storable potatoes.
Currently, India has transformed significantly in the global French fry market, largely due to Santana’s success. India, which in 2007 imported 6,000 metric tonnes of French fries, managed to export an impressive 135,877 tonnes of French fries, valued at Rs 1,478.73 crore. Today, the largest food processing units across India prefer Santana for fries, with the majority of sourcing originating from the Banaskantha district of Gujarat. Santana’s journey in India is a compelling narrative of strategic collaboration, technological adoption, and a golden transformation in the nation’s agricultural and food processing landscape.
