Arshad Mahmood Awan

Potatoes have become a dietary staple for approximately two-thirds of the world’s population, with nearly 50% of potatoes being utilized as the primary household food or vegetable. This widespread consumption underscores the significant role that potatoes play in providing sustenance to a large portion of the global population.

One of the remarkable attributes of potatoes is their resilience in the face of challenging environmental conditions. They exhibit resistance to drought, cold, and infertile land, making them a valuable crop in regions where other crops may struggle to thrive. This adaptability contributes to the widespread cultivation and consumption of potatoes as a reliable source of nutrition.

Looking towards the future, projections indicate that by 2030, the total global production of potatoes is expected to reach an impressive 750 million tons. This represents a substantial anticipated increase of 112% in potato production. Notably, the production of potatoes in Asia, Africa, and Latin America is forecasted to exceed 440 million tons, reflecting a remarkable projected increase of 100%. These regions are anticipated to account for approximately 59% of the world’s potato production, highlighting their pivotal role in meeting the escalating demand for this essential crop.

The potato, originating from the South American Andes region and making its way to Europe in the 16th century before spreading worldwide, holds significant potential beyond being a mere source of nourishment.

Potatoes play a crucial role in strategies aimed at providing accessible and nutritious food, particularly in rural areas where natural resources such as arable land and water are limited. Their versatility and ability to thrive in various conditions make them an advantageous crop choice.

Furthermore, potatoes are considered climate-friendly crops due to their low levels of greenhouse gas emissions compared to other crops.

In the last decade, global potato production has increased by 10 per cent, leading to growth in employment and income. However, there is still more potential to be harnessed to address global hunger and malnutrition effectively.

Moreover, the diversity among potatoes is vast, with over 5,000 improved varieties and farmers’ varieties/landraces, many of which are specific to their original location in Latin America. The 150 wild relatives of the cultivated potato exhibit wide genetic variation with various traits, including adaptability to different production environments, resistance to pests and diseases, and diverse tuber characteristics. They serve as a repository of heritable traits for ongoing genetic improvement to respond to changing environmental conditions, new biotypes of pests and diseases, and consumer preferences.

Illustration: Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope

In 2024, the first International Day of Potato will be celebrated, focusing on the potato’s contribution to the lives of producers and consumers with the theme: “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope.” #InternationalDayOfPotato

The potato stands as one of the most important contributions of the Andean region to the world, being one of the five main food crops consumed globally and contributing to food security.

Small-scale and family farming production of the potato, particularly by rural farmers, including women farmers, supports efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty, contributing greatly to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

In December 2023, the General Assembly designated 30 May as the International Day of Potato to raise awareness of the multiple nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural values of the potato. This designation aims to highlight its contribution as an invaluable food resource and income generator for rural families and producers, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.

The International Day of the Potato holds immense significance as it aims to raise awareness about the diverse nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural values of the potato. Designated by the General Assembly, this day, celebrated on 30 May, serves as a platform to highlight the critical role of the potato as an invaluable food resource and income generator for rural families and producers. By bringing attention to the multiple dimensions of the potato’s importance, the International Day of the Potato contributes to the global effort to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.

One of the key aspects of the International Day of the Potato is its focus on promoting the potato’s contribution to the lives of both producers and consumers. By emphasizing the significance of the potato as a vital food source and income generator, this observance sheds light on the role of small-scale and family farming in supporting efforts to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Particularly, the involvement of rural farmers, including women farmers, in the production of potatoes underscores the crop’s role in contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Furthermore, the International Day of the Potato serves as an opportunity to recognize the potato’s global impact on food security. As one of the five main food crops consumed worldwide, the potato plays a crucial role in providing accessible and nutritious food, especially in regions where natural resources such as arable land and water are limited. By celebrating this day, the international community acknowledges the potato’s significance in addressing food security challenges and supporting sustainable agricultural practices.

Moreover, the designation of the International Day of the Potato highlights the need to harness the potential of the potato to address global hunger and malnutrition effectively. By drawing attention to the vast diversity among potatoes, including over 5,000 improved varieties and farmers’ varieties/landraces, this observance underscores the importance of ongoing genetic improvement to respond to changing environmental conditions, new biotypes of pests and diseases, and consumer preferences. Additionally, the day provides a platform to showcase the resilience and adaptability of potatoes, as well as their climate-friendly attributes, which contribute to their role as a valuable crop choice for diverse production environments.

In conclusion, the International Day of the Potato holds immense importance in recognizing and promoting the diverse values of the potato. By raising awareness of its nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural significance, this observance contributes to the global effort to achieve sustainable development and food security goals. Celebrating this day serves as a reminder of the potato’s crucial role in providing sustenance, supporting rural livelihoods, and contributing to the conservation of biodiversity, ultimately emphasizing the potato’s status as a vital crop with far-reaching implications for global well-being.