ALL over the world, potato industry members are gearing up to mark the second International Day of Potato on May 30th, with some kicking off their activities today, following on from the success of the inaugural event last year.
The first International Day of the Potato was observed on May 30th, 2024 after being proclaimed by the UN General Assembly. It focuses on the potato’s vital role as a food source, its impact on producers and consumers, and its origins in the Andes. The theme for last year’s inaugural celebration was ‘Harvesting diversity, feeding hope’.
This year’s theme is ‘Shaping history, feeding the future’. The theme acknowledges the potato’s deep historical and cultural significance and its evolving role in today’s global agrifood systems.
The European Potato Processors’ Association (EUPPA), the European Potato Trade Association (Europatat), the European Snacks Association (ESA), Copa-Cogeca and the European Starch Industry Association (Starch Europe) will today (May 27th) host an event to celebrate the International Day of Potato, at the Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi, Brussels, Belgium.
The James Hutton Institute will host a webinar on the day to discuss the key opportunities and challenges in potato production in the UK today. It will be presented by Professor Ingo Hein, Head of Potato Genetics at the Hutton and a Professor of Crop Genetics at the University of Dundee.
He said: “Potato is a globally significant crop that provides sustenance for billions of people worldwide and can play a vital role in addressing the issue of food security. Our six speakers will look to the future of the industry and the challenges posed by new pests and diseases, the need for sustainability and resilience, the changing dynamics in the world potato market and the regulatory environment.”
The webinar has been arranged by the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), a partnership dedicated to finding scientific solutions to the challenges facing the potato industry.
‘Potato – the path to a bright future’ will examine global production and what that means for the UK and beyond, look at how marker-assisted breeding is helping to fast-track new disease-resistant varieties and catch up on all the latest opportunities in gene editing.
There will also be the chance to hear about enabling regenerative agriculture in potato cultivations, pest management strategies and Fight Against Blight and related monitoring tools.
Potatoes New Zealand, which represents growers’ interests and is committed to promoting better outcomes for the New Zealand potato industry, is inviting New Zealanders to participate in the celebration by enjoying locally-grown potatoes, learning more about their cultural and historical significance, and acknowledging the hard-working growers who bring them to the table.
Chair of Potatoes New Zealand, Paul Olsen, said: “New Zealand growers are future-focused — innovating with sustainable practices and adapting to changing environments. International Day of Potato gives us the chance to honour their work and celebrate the mighty spud’s ongoing impact.”
Potatoes South Africa (Potatoes SA) is hosting two fresh produce market days, with the first taking place today (May 27th) in Cape Town and the second taking place in Johannesburg on May 30th. These events are designed to raise public awareness of the potato’s many benefits, bringing together producers, market buyers, seed suppliers, and media.
The events will include live outdoor radio broadcasts with interviews from industry leaders and producers, displays of South Africa’s potato cultivars and cooking applications, activities and prizes for potato buyers, as well as educational content on the nutritional value of potatoes and their role in daily diets.
Photo: Yamu-Jay and Paperclip7
