Branston, which has supported the Potato Park near Cuzco in Peru for many years, has donated the sum to the International Potato Centre at the request of former Branston chairman Chris Howard, who visited the Peruvian project earlier this year.

The money will be used to boost the work of the potato centre as well as funding the training of local technicians working on research projects.

As dedicated potato people, Branston made a major contribution to the activities, donating the cash to the 12,000 hectare park which is one of the few conservation initiatives in the world where local people are managing and protecting local genetic resources.

Howard said: "This is an incredibly important project, locally sustainable and dedicated to the production of potatoes. It's a research centre where work is done to conserve the genetic diversity of native varieties and help local farmers improve their potato yields."

Branston gave a donation of £9,000 to the park in 2008 to commemorate the Year of the Potato. This new donation will support training for local potato farmers, said David Nelson, Branston's field director.