A short while ago, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture (MIDAGRI) invited WPC Director André Devaux to give an official speech at a side event of the 43rd session of the FAO Conference in Rome, Italy. The topic of the speech was “Photographic Exhibition: The Biodiversity of Potatoes and Its Contribution to Food Security and the Global Economy.”

Speakers at the occasion included Mr. Christian Barrantes, Vice Minister of MIDAGRI, Peru, Ambassador Eduardo Martinetti of Peru’s Permanent Representation to International Organizations stationed in Rome, and Dr. Qu Dongyu, Director General of the FAO.

Highlights of this event included educating attendees about the value and significance of potatoes worldwide for food and nutritional security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and preserving food diversity while emphasizing how they can help achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly the one that aims to end hunger. The occasion presented a chance to advertise the resolution on International Potato Day (IPD) that was adopted at the FAO meeting.

Over the past two years, the WPC has worked with FAO and an international coalition of nations, led by Peru and backed by Ireland, Canada, Belgium, Australia, and China, to promote the celebration of International Potato Day. A collaborative endeavor has brought us this close to an official resolution designating May 30th as International Potato Day each year. It is anticipated that this will be officially approved and announced during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) sessions in New York in September.

By 2050, the FAO projects that the global food demand will rise by up to 50%. A major challenge in this regard is how to efficiently produce more and better food using the same or fewer resources, while also taking into account a host of other issues such as global conflicts, COVID-19, inflation, and climate change.

“The potato is a resilient crop. With a short maturity, it is one of the most productive food crops in terms of yield of edible energy and proteins per unit of area and unit of time. It is adaptable to various agroecological conditions and can be cultivated at sea level as well as at more than 4000m altitude. The potato crop requires much less water than other food crops such as wheat, rice, and corn. It is as high-quality food with rich and balanced nutrition, and it plays a dual role in family farming economy providing first food for home consumption and, as a cash crop, providing incomes,” Devaux said.

To find ways to encourage the first International Potato Day to be marked on May 30, 2024, the WPC will keep collaborating with FAO, Peru, and partners like the International Potato Center (CIP).