Manitoba is making its claim to be the potato capital of Canada.

Stats Canada says our province accounts for 20.6 per cent of Canada's total potato production. Prince Edward Island is number one at 23.7 per cent.

Dan Sawatzky is the general manager of the Keystone Potato Producers Association.

He says production in Manitoba has increased substantially over the past 20 years.

"Irrigation has helped with that increase," explained Sawatzky. "I think overall water management, whether it be tile drainage or irrigation certainly has added to that increase."

Total potato production in Canada increased 4.1 per cent in 2015, with Manitoba accounting for 57.2 per cent of the increase.

Sawatzky says the main reason for the rise in Manitoba has to do with an increase in awarded contracts from companies such as Simplot and McCain's.