The Harkin brothers from Bridgend, Co. Donegal are one of the leading potato growers in the country and even have the awards to prove it, including the coveted Bord Bia ‘Potato Grower of the Year’ accolade which they won a decade ago.
From humble beginnings, Harkin Bros Potatoes Ltd has become one of Donegal’s largest potato producers. The Inishowen company currently has 350 acres in potato with a further 500 acres in winter barley, spring barley, winter oats and winter wheat. The variety of potatoes grown on the Harkin farm on the shores of Lough Swilly include Golden Wonder, Maris Piper, Cultra, British Queen’s, Kerr’s Pink and Rooster.
It all began in 1975 when Brian Harkin planted seven acres of seed potatoes. The enterprise quickly grew and he was soon joined by his siblings Kevin, Desmond, Kieran and John. Brian, Kevin, Desmond and Kieran continue to head up the business with John – who owns Cross Concrete Flooring (Ireland) Ltd – giving a hand from time to time. The brothers employ seven staff which increases to 12 at peak times.
“We started off growing seed,” Kevin Harkin explains.
“But when that declined, we concentrated on growing ware. It used to be 90% seed, 10% ware – now it’s the other way around. We’re passionate about what we do and a lot of work goes in to ensure that the produce is of an exceptionally high standard. The loamy and heavy soil of Donegal is ideal for growing potatoes and makes for a better skin finish. We have the capacity to store 6,000 tonnes of potatoes, including 5,000 tonnes in cold storage.”
Two years ago, the Harkins purchased an additional 245 acres which had been part of the Grianan Estate, and this has allowed them to significantly increase production of both potatoes and cereals. Rooster has replaced Kerr’s Pink as their most popular variety and accounts for more than 60% of the overall crop. The majority of the potatoes are supplied to Country Crest in Dublin with seed being sold to another Dublin-based company, crisp producers Peter Keogh & Sons. The cereals are supplied to LW Surphlis in Newtownstewart, Co. Tyrone and Harold J Wilson Ltd in Raphoe, Co. Donegal.
“We plant, spray and harvest the potatoes before putting them into cold storage. They are taken out and graded as the market requires, and shipped out in one-tonne boxes. Stephen Harkin, who is John’s son, runs his own transport company and he takes care of that side of things for us.”
The farm, which straddles the Donegal-Derry border and is eight miles from Buncrana, is self-sufficient with the brothers using their own machinery and equipment to tend to their crops. They run six New Holland tractors and a further three John Deere with GPS guidance. They also have two self-propelled Grimme harvesters, three Grimme destoners and a Bargam self-propelled sprayer.
In 2007, the Bridgend growers scooped the Bord Bia ‘Potato Grower of the Year’ title, having won the regional equivalent three years earlier. Presenting the award, the then Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food Trevor Sargent said: “Consumers and retailers alike now demand produce that has been grown, handled, packaged and transported to the highest standards of quality and hygiene, in a clean and environmentally-friendly manner. Harkin Bros Potatoes Ltd has shown that they are ‘best in class’ in their particular area. It is important that we recognise achievement and celebrate it.”
The Irish know their potatoes better than anyone, so the Harkin team take great pride in the care and skill with which they grow potatoes. They give their potatoes all the attention they need to ensure they arrive on the consumer’s plate in prime condition. They strive to provide the highest quality potatoes which meet the standards of the Irish consumer, while being mindful of the environment. Their passion for producing the best keeps them focused and promotes continuous improvement.
Red-skinned, yellow-fleshed, easy to cook any way and hardy, Roosters are the most widely grown potato in Ireland that are traditionally harvested from August through November.
Kerr’s Pink, with their white-to-pink skin colour, are flourier than the Rooster. This is another Irish favourite that has traditionally been grown in Donegal. Queen’s are also very popular in this country. They are a mainstay of the summer with their white skin and flesh, excellent floury texture and beautiful taste. They can be used for boiling, steaming, roasting and chipping. Maris Piper, meanwhile, are suited to making chips, while Cultra potatoes are oval, have white skin with red flushes, especially around the eyes and inside, off-white flesh. They are also famous for their floury texture.
Kevin would like to see greater promotion of potatoes and the health benefits of consuming them.
“There is a misconception about potatoes being fattening. This is something that needs to be addressed. They keep you feeling fuller for longer and are packed with nutrients. They are also great as part of a gluten-free diet.
“They are also just as convenient and as easy to prepare as rice or pasta and that message needs to be got across to the younger generation in particular. We were fortunate that we invested in most of our equipment between 1995 and 2005 because the price we’re getting for potatoes now isn’t as good as it was then,” he concludes.
Harkin Bros Potatoes Ltd
Carrowreagh,
Bridgend,
Co. Donegal.
Taken from Irish Tractor & Agri magazine Vol 5 No 4, June 2017
