PURPOSE: During the International Year of the Potato, celebrated in 2008, FAO and CIP helped forge partnerships worldwide to address critical aspects of sustainable potato production. Let’s review some technical, socio-economic, policy and institutional factors that currently constrain increased potato production and productivity in tropical and subtropical countries. It presents Good Agriculture Practices relevant to potato production, and indicators and recommendations for action in key areas, from the utilization of potato biodiversity and improvements in seed systems, to soil management, insect pest and disease control and opportunities for value addition. Let’s outline a new policy and research agenda for the potato sub-sector that aims at making a real contribution to the eradication of hunger and poverty.
FORUM: “Harvesting diversity feeding hope.” International Day of Potato 2024. A staple food for the world’s population, potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, providing a primary source of energy. They also contain several micro-nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Potatoes are a vital part of the global food system and play a critical role in strengthening world food security and alleviating poverty. The Sustainable production of potato can contribute to all four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Due to its large genetic diversity, and its current cultivation and demand, potato research and innovation can contribute to sustainable agrifood systems and help to achieve Zero Hunger and the Sustainable Development Goals. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #30May, #Potato, #InternationalDayOfPotato.
EVENTS: Inaugural celebration of the International Day of Potato. On May 30th; to mark the Day, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations will host a hybrid event entitled ”Harvesting diversity feeding Hope.”.
From Brussels (BELGIUM), a Hybrid event will be held on on Monday, 27 May 2024, in Brussels, at the Residence Palace - International Day of Potato 2024 – Brussels Celebration. The FAO Liaison Office in Brussels is delighted to celebrate the first celebration. The event, which is co-organized with the Embassy of Peru in Belgium, will feature high-level interventions from FAO, Belgium, and Peru, and will close with the screening of the documentary “Opening the Earth: The Potato King”.
From Canada; Virtual event will be held on 29/04/2024, World Potato Congress webinar “International Day of Potato 2024 – Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope”. The World Potato Congress Inc. is pleased to present the Webinar: “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope” presented by Dr André Devaux and Dr. Chikelu Mba, April 29, 2024, at 9:00 am Eastern Standard Time (USA/Canada). The presentation in Spanish will follow at 10:00am Eastern Standard Time (USA/Canada)
PODCASTS: When we consume a range of potato varieties, we not only enrich our culinary cultures but also support the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. With thousands of varieties – each unique in colour, size, taste and nutritional properties, potato is more than just a staple crop, it is often the basis for culinary creativity and a key element in diverse agrifood systems. Listen to the audio-podcast!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Join the campaign “Harvesting diversity feeding hope.” A wide range of materials including T-shirts, caps, mugs and bags are available to mark the International Day of Potato 2024. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
Parents and educators: • Grow healthy habits! Potatoes can be part of a healthy diet considering the principles of diversity, balance, moderation and adequacy. When culturally appropriate, potatoes can be included in menus as components of nutritious and healthy meals in schools and households. Ensure children are motivated and learn how to follow healthy diets. • Choose locally sourced potatoes to back the farmers who grow them and contribute to the health of the planet.
Non-governmental organizations and civil society: • Organize community events that celebrate the cultural significance of potatoes, address food security issues, and develop fair and profitable potato value chains. • Work with policymakers and farmers, including women, youth and Indigenous Peoples to ensure their needs are met in agricultural planning and development agendas. • Highlight case studies, successes and lessons learned from projects implemented in the field, and innovations worthy of scaling
There is something that each of us can do to promote lasting change. Initiatives to promote sustainable potato production and consumption may start on the International Day of Potato while their impacts could go well beyond. Here are examples of such actions. Governments and international bodies: • Create an enabling environment, including legal and institutional frameworks, to encourage sustainable production and consumption of multiple varieties of potatoes as part of healthy diets. • Support research and development for more productive, resilient and dynamic production systems where potatoes are grown with complementary crops. • Support research to develop potentially gamechanging technologies, such as the hybrid diploid potato and hybrid true potato seed. • Promote the development of cold storage and potato seed multiplication so that farmers can reliably access and use suitable varieties.
Food business operators: • Be a potato-pioneer! Make nutritious potato products available for consumers and minimize waste. • Work with producers to explore new healthy preparations, eco-friendly packaging and distribution methods that reflect the potato’s environmental benefits.
The International Day of Potato is co-organized by the United Nations General Assembly, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Potato Center (CIP) the CGIAR Research, with the participation of Civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations; Agricultural cooperatives, Farmers; Researchers; Academia and the general public.
Key messages: Potato is a crop that contributes to better agricultural production, better nutrition for people, a better environment and life
Better Production: Promoting the adoption of good agricultural practices and key technologies can help millions of farmers to boost their productivity and incomes.
Better Nutrition: Potatoes are nutrient-rich, providing vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
Better Environment: Adopting sustainable potato production systems can enhance adaptation to climate change and biodiversity.
Better Life: Potatoes are a staple crop that can contribute to food security and create livelihood opportunities.