GLOBAL – The United Nations has officially declared May 30th International Potato Day, celebrating the tuber’s importance in global food security and cultural heritage.
The announcement follows three years of effort, initially led by Peru, the potato’s historical birthplace.
Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Ireland, and Belgium, this day aims to honor the potato’s contribution to nutrition and its potential to address hunger and poverty.
Historical significance and cultural impact
Peru, proud of its culinary contributions, spearheaded the initiative to commemorate the potato. “Peru is proud of its culinary contributions,” stated Ambassador Luis Enrique Chávez Basagoitia, emphasizing the crop’s role in combating famine, especially in Europe.
Originally from the Andean region, the potato was introduced to Europe in the 16th century. Due to its adaptability and nutritional value, it has since become a staple for around two-thirds of the global population.
Belgium, a leading exporter of frozen fries, celebrated the run-up to International Potato Day in Brussels on May 27th.
Belgian Agriculture Minister David Clarinval and his Irish counterpart, Charlie McConalogue, joined the celebrations alongside an FAO representative and the Peruvian ambassador.
Clarinval highlighted the potato’s centrality to Belgium’s culinary culture and economy, noting that over 7,500 people work in the country’s potato sector.
Global significance and challenges
Raschad Al-Khafaji, director of the FAO liaison office in Brussels, emphasized the potato’s critical role in food security and cultural identity.
He cautioned that global food security remains fragile, underscoring the need for continued efforts to harness the potato’s full potential.
Potatoes are the third most consumed staple crop worldwide, after rice and wheat. However, its cultivation saw a 17% reduction in land area from 2000 to 2020, even though production increased by 11%.
FAO highlights the necessity of preserving the genetic diversity of potato varieties and farming systems. This genetic wealth gives the potato its resilience and adaptability, which are essential for meeting future food security challenges.
“Potatoes are one of the most widely known and liked crops worldwide. But what is probably not known is its vast genetic diversity,” said Makiko Taguchi, an agricultural officer at the FAO.
A global celebration
The International Potato Day will build on the success of the International Year of the Potato observed in 2008. FAO is hosting a global hybrid event on this day, national delegations, UN organizations, civil society, and other stakeholders have been invited to participate.
This day provides a platform to discuss the potato’s role in achieving food security, nutrition, and improved livelihoods. It will also address the crop’s challenges and potential, contributing to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The observance will also recognize the contributions of small-scale farmers and Indigenous communities in preserving potato diversity.
Taguchi noted, “The genetic diversity can be harnessed further to breed progressively superior varieties that can overcome challenges such as climate variability, reduced soil fertility, and pests and diseases.”
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