As anticipation builds for the world’s first-ever International Day of Potato next month, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is casting a bright light on the immense significance of this crop, which sustains billions and holds untapped potential.
FAO recently unveiled a guide to the upcoming International Day, slated for May 30, with the theme “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope.” The occasion will underscore the potato’s critical role in combating hunger and poverty while addressing environmental threats to agrifood systems.
This landmark day will spotlight the invaluable contributions of small-scale family farmers, a substantial proportion of whom are women, in preserving the crop’s diversity. Additionally, it will celebrate the cultural and culinary significance of the potato.
Having originated in the Andes Mountains, the potato was revered as the “flower of ancient Inca civilization,” serving as a staple crop. Introduced to Europe in the 16th century, it rapidly spread across the globe, evolving into a vital food source for farmers and consumers worldwide.
FAO agronomist Makiko Taguchi emphasizes the importance of broadening public perceptions beyond the typical associations of potatoes with less healthy forms of consumption like fries or chips. The International Day aims to showcase diverse and healthier ways of preparing and consuming potatoes, with an emphasis on varietal diversity and nutritional benefits.
Maintaining potato diversity is essential to mitigate vulnerabilities to pests, diseases, and climate change impacts. FAO’s initiatives encompass supporting farmers and Indigenous Peoples in managing common diseases, fostering innovative solutions for resource-efficient potato cultivation, and promoting collaboration across the potato value chain.
The FAO booklet calls for collective action to promote sustainable potato production and consumption. Governments, international bodies, food businesses, educators, and civil society are urged to play pivotal roles in creating an enabling environment, supporting research, fostering innovation, and encouraging healthy eating habits.
Key facts and figures highlight the potato’s critical role in global food security and nutrition, its widespread consumption, and the efforts to preserve its genetic diversity and traditional knowledge, as demonstrated by initiatives like the 12,000-hectare potato park in the Peruvian Andes, managed by Indigenous Peoples.
As the world gears up to commemorate the inaugural International Day of Potato, FAO and its partners are steadfast in their commitment to harnessing the potential of this remarkable crop to build a sustainable and food-secure future for all.
