In just a few months the tomato potato psyllid pest wiped out a fifth of the value the country’s potato industry’s farm gate value – and now New Zealand potato growers say they need urgent help if they are to survive.

Potatoes New Zealand chairman Terry Olsen says a report found that psyllid – a small insect which transmits a disease causing yellow leafing and brown markings on spuds – cost potato growers $28 million, or 20 per cent of revenue, in a single season.

Mr Olsen says the industry is on the 'cusp of a national crisis', and unless funding for further research is found, through the Primary Growth Partnership  (PGP), growers will soon be exiting the industry.

“Well obviously in this case [finding the funding], the sooner the better. But you know there are some things about research - money is one thing, and the other thing is it also has to stand the test of time. Time and money are of the essence.

“The short answer to your questions is that it’s probably going to be quite hard to get a successful application into the PGP – so it’s still somewhat of an unknown.”

Terry Olsen says while further scientific research is desperately needed but, having already committed about $1.3 million since 2008, Potatoes New Zealand’s pockets are empty. 

The tomato potato psyllid has cost the industry $120 million since it was first discovered in 2006.