Today marks the first-ever International Day of the Potato, celebrated globally with events spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and its partners. The potato, consumed by over one billion people and ranking as the third most available food crop after rice and wheat, is a critical staple food worldwide. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the potato’s historical and ongoing importance in a video message, stating, “The potato has been the most important lifesaving, staple food and nutritious vegetable in the world.”
Historical Impact on Food Security
Qu highlighted the potato’s impact on food security in Europe post-16th century, after it was introduced by Christopher Columbus following his return from the Americas. Originating in the Andes, the potato has become integral to food security and nutrition.
High-Level Event Highlights
The inaugural event, held at FAO’s headquarters, featured notable participants including Angel Manuel Manero Campos, Peru’s Minister of Agrarian Development and Irrigation, and Paula Narváez, President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Campos discussed Peru’s initiatives to ensure fair prices for potato producers, while Narváez emphasized the potato’s role in achieving several UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Technical Panel on Potato Development
A technical panel earlier in the day featured speakers from the World Potato Congress, the private sector, and the International Potato Center (CIP). The panel, convened by Peru with support from Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands, focused on the advancements in potato genetics and agronomics. Participants called for increased efforts to address challenges such as pests, diseases, and climate change, highlighting the potato’s potential to improve food security amid global pressures.
Potato’s Significance
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored three key aspects of the potato’s relevance in addressing global challenges:
- Nutritional Value and Resilience: The potato is rich in vital nutrients and is consumed by over two-thirds of the global population in various forms. It demonstrates resilience to soil degradation and water scarcity, unlike many cereal crops. With 735 million people suffering from hunger, the potato plays a crucial role in improving food security and nutrition.
- Genetic Diversity: Although there are about 5,000 potato varieties worldwide, most global production comes from a narrow genetic base. Enhancing genetic diversity can help the potato withstand climate change, pests, and diseases, and improve its nutritional value. This requires strengthened research and development, particularly in genetic improvement and virus-free seed tuber production.
- Economic Opportunities: The potato offers significant livelihood opportunities for farmers, particularly small-scale and family farmers. Maximizing its potential from production to consumption can lead to innovative products and increased profits, provided appropriate technologies and equipment are used to minimize inputs and crop loss.
FAO Initiatives
FAO’s initiatives, such as the One Country One Priority Product, are essential in supporting the potato’s potential. For example, FAO collaborates with Lesotho to strengthen the potato’s value chain and with Peru to conserve its genetic diversity through the South-South Cooperation mechanism. In Azerbaijan, FAO is introducing new potato varieties and establishing a national disease-free seed system.
Through bodies like the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and the International Plant Protection Convention, FAO ensures access to genetic resources, equitable benefit sharing, and safe trade practices.
Celebratory Events
As part of the International Day celebrations, FAO and Italy’s largest farmers’ association, Coldiretti, organized an event at Rome’s Campagna Amica farmers’ market. The theme, “Producers supporting potato diversity,” featured Italian and Peruvian farmers, a cooking demonstration, and a tasting of gnocchi, an Italian potato-based dish.
The International Day of the Potato underscores the crop’s essential role in global food security, nutrition, and economic development, calling for continued investment and innovation to harness its full potential.