Fostering Potato Partnerships for Food Security
The World Potato Congress (WPC) Inc. has officially adopted the Declaration of Dublin: Fostering Potato Partnerships for Food Security. Going back to conversations with industry stakeholders during the previous Congresses, momentum has grown around the idea of how WPC may help countries who are struggling with issues related to food security and reduce poverty.
Within various parts of the world, there is a discrepancy between high and low yields. There are instances of innovation that have increased the overall performance of the potato crop and its use in nations where the average national yields are thought to be quite low.
These innovations are frequently fueled by the roles of public-private partnerships. The Dublin Declaration encourages partners to collaborate so they can exchange information and success stories in the world’s potato sector.
“[…] WPC Directors, International Advisors, Sustaining Partners, and others will join in the mission to work together to meet the needs of those who live in food insecure places through improving potato production as a great food”, according to President Peter VanderZaag. Already, 10% of the funds received under the WPC Platinum Sustaining Partnership are used towards this vision.
The UN Sustainable Development Goals, which were just released, are shared by the WPC. These goals are “a call for action by all countries – poor, rich, and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social protection, and job opportunities while tackling climate change and environmental protection.”
40 bursary beneficiaries from nations where the potato is a significant crop yet food security is a problem attended the WPC Dublin Congress. WPC is contacting these grantees to check on the success of the networking and assistance possibilities offered at the Dublin Congress.
“The declaration creates inspiration for the 12th World Potato Congress being held in Adelaide, Australia June 23-26, 2024 by providing a global forum to foster collaboration and to establish partnerships to further address the needs highlighted in the Declaration of Dublin,” Dr. Nigel Crump, co-organizer of WPC 2024 Adelaide enthusiastically, shares.
The WPC Board of Directors and International Advisors will investigate the best ways to offer connections and networking opportunities under the auspices of the Declaration of Dublin during the coming months.