CHINA’S ROLE AS WORLD POTATO PRODUCER HIGHLIGHTED BY CIP DIRECTOR GENERAL
FIVE million hectares are used today to cultivate around 100 million metric tons of potatoes in China, which is acknowledged as the world’s foremost potato producer.
In a recent interview with China Daily, an English-language daily newspaper owned by the Publicity Department of the Chinese Communist Party, Simon Heck, Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), said the nation is in a unique position for year-round production thanks to its geographic diversity.
This capability, alongside international collaboration and technological innovation in the sector, underscores the crop’s contribution to China’s agricultural landscape and food security.
Simon pointed out an emerging trend of investment in potato cultivation from sectors beyond traditional agriculture, showcasing the crop’s expanding economic footprint. The potato’s ability to adapt to various climates plays a crucial role in supporting food security, particularly in China’s northern and northwestern regions amid the ongoing harvest season.
Since 1978, CIP’s collaboration with Chinese agricultural bodies has significantly advanced potato and sweet potato production and Simon was keen to highlight the transfer of genetic resources to China, making it the largest beneficiary of CIP’s global gene bank contributions. Varieties like “Cooperation-88” and “Jizhangshu” now represent a significant portion of China’s potato output.
Addressing climate change, he pointed out its impact on traditional potato-growing areas in China. CIP’s development of climate-adapted potato varieties, in partnership with local institutions, aims to mitigate these challenges. He also mentioned the importance of water-efficient crops in response to water scarcity concerns.
Science and innovation play a pivotal role in enhancing productivity and sustainability of potato production. Initiatives include leveraging artificial intelligence for resource optimisation and encouraging cross-sector collaboration to integrate biotechnological advances into potato cultivation.
Source: China Daily
