PURPOSE: During the International Year of the Potato, celebrated in 2008, FAO and CIP helped forge partnerships worldwide to address critical aspects of sustainable potato production. The observance will also be used to underscore the importance of the crop to combating hunger and poverty and addressing environmental threats to agrifood systems. The roles of small-scale family farmers, a significant proportion of whom are women, in safeguarding the wide spectrum of the crop’s diversity, will also be recognized, while the cultural and culinary dimensions of the crop’s cultivation and consumption will be celebrated. Let’s review some technical, socio-economic, policy and institutional factors that currently constrain increased potato production and productivity in tropical and subtropical countries. It presents Good Agriculture Practices relevant to potato production, and indicators and recommendations for action in key areas, from the utilization of potato biodiversity and improvements in seed systems, to soil management, insect pest and disease control and opportunities for value addition. Let’s outline a new policy and research agenda for the potato sub-sector that aims at making a real contribution to the eradication of hunger and poverty.
FORUM: “Shaping history, feeding the future.” International Day of Potato 2025. The theme of the 2nd observance will acknowledge the potato’s deep historical and cultural significance and its evolving role in today's global agrifood systems. As a staple food for the world’s population, potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, providing a primary source of energy. They also contain several micro-nutrients including B vitamins, vitamin C, folate, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. During the day, we spotlight the potato, Solanum tuberosum (L.) – a crop regularly consumed by billions of people. Potatoes are a key crop across diverse farming systems globally, ranging from smallholders producing diverse heirloom varieties by hand in the Andes, to vast commercial, mechanized farms in different continents. Potatoes contribute to the food security and nutrition as well as and livelihoods and employment of people in rural and urban areas the world over. Potatoes are a vital part of the global food system and play a critical role in strengthening world food security and alleviating poverty. The Sustainable production of potato can contribute to all four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Due to its large genetic diversity, and its current cultivation and demand, potato research and innovation can contribute to sustainable agrifood systems and help to achieve Zero Hunger and the Sustainable Development Goals. Follow the conversations with the hashtags: #30May, #Potato, #InternationalDayOfPotato.
EVENTS: On May 30th; To mark the International Day of Potato 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Potato Center (CIP) will host a hybrid event entitled “Shaping history, feeding the future.”; From its domestication in the Andes, to its global spread through the Columbian Exchange and its involvement in key historical events such as the Irish Potato Famine, the potato has shaped civilizations and diets across continents over several millennia. Occurring during FAO’s 80th anniversary year, this second observance will highlight the potato’s contribution to food security, nutrition and livelihoods especially for small-scale farmers. It will also encourage reflections on the crop's production constraints, the need to conserve their diversity, and the desired actions to strengthen its value chain for a more sustainable future. Register to participate!
PUBLICATIONS: As a global campaign to raise awareness and inspire action has just kicked off, have a look at this selection of FAO publications below to gain better insights into this global common food ahead of the celebration.
Climate risk management for the roots and tubers sectors in Africa.
Strengthening financial services for roots and tubers value chains development in Africa.
Strengthening linkages between small actors and buyers in the roots and tubers sector in Africa: Cameroon; Uganda.
International Year of the Potato 2008. New light on a hidden treasure..
Conservation and sustainable use of potato germplasm in the rural communities of Andahuaylas.
PODCASTS: When we consume a range of potato varieties, we not only enrich our culinary cultures but also support the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. With thousands of varieties – each unique in colour, size, taste and nutritional properties, potato is more than just a staple crop, it is often the basis for culinary creativity and a key element in diverse agrifood systems. Listen to the audio-podcast!
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS: Let’s come together to advocate for the potato, savor its multitude of varieties, and champion the farmers who cultivate this essential crop with the earth’s well-being in mind!. A wide range of materials including T-shirts, caps, mugs and bags are available, through the Get involved guide (Second edition) and the Communication toolkit to mark the International Day of Potato 2025. Get the communication materials!
WHY WE CELEBRATE THE DAY?
HOW TO GET INVOLVED!
PARTNERSHIPS
Parents and educators: • Grow healthy habits! Potatoes can be part of a healthy diet considering the principles of diversity, balance, moderation and adequacy. When culturally appropriate, potatoes can be included in menus as components of nutritious and healthy meals in schools and households. Ensure children are motivated and learn how to follow healthy diets. • Choose locally sourced potatoes to back the farmers who grow them and contribute to the health of the planet.
Non-governmental organizations and civil society: • Organize community events that celebrate the cultural significance of potatoes, address food security issues, and develop fair and profitable potato value chains. • Work with policymakers and farmers, including women, youth and Indigenous Peoples to ensure their needs are met in agricultural planning and development agendas. • Highlight case studies, successes and lessons learned from projects implemented in the field, and innovations worthy of scaling
There is something that each of us can do to promote lasting change. Initiatives to promote sustainable potato production and consumption may start on the International Day of Potato while their impacts could go well beyond. Here are examples of such actions. Governments and international bodies: • Create an enabling environment, including legal and institutional frameworks, to encourage sustainable production and consumption of multiple varieties of potatoes as part of healthy diets. • Support research and development for more productive, resilient and dynamic production systems where potatoes are grown with complementary crops. • Support research to develop potentially gamechanging technologies, such as the hybrid diploid potato and hybrid true potato seed. • Promote the development of cold storage and potato seed multiplication so that farmers can reliably access and use suitable varieties.
Food business operators: • Be a potato-pioneer! Make nutritious potato products available for consumers and minimize waste. • Work with producers to explore new healthy preparations, eco-friendly packaging and distribution methods that reflect the potato’s environmental benefits.
The International Day of Potato is co-organized by the United Nations General Assembly, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), the International Potato Center (CIP) the CGIAR Research, with the participation of Civil society organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations; Agricultural cooperatives, Farmers; Researchers; Academia and the general public.
Key messages: Potato is a crop that contributes to better agricultural production, better nutrition for people, a better environment and life
Better Production: Promoting the adoption of good agricultural practices and key technologies can help millions of farmers to boost their productivity and incomes.
Better Nutrition: Potatoes are nutrient-rich, providing vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
Better Environment: Adopting sustainable potato production systems can enhance adaptation to climate change and biodiversity.
Better Life: Potatoes are a staple crop that can contribute to food security and create livelihood opportunities.