FAO recently published a guide to the new International Day, observed on May 30 with the theme  “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope.” It underscored the importance of the crop in combating hunger and poverty and addressing environmental threats to agrifood systems.

The International Day also highlighted the roles of small-scale family farmers, a significant proportion of whom are women, in safeguarding the crop’s diversity as well as celebrating the potato’s cultural and culinary importance.

Calls to action

The booklet creates awareness of what can be done to promote sustainable potato production and consumption.

Among the various actions, governments and international bodies can create an enabling environment, support research, and strengthen the crop’s value chain, including through the development of cold storage and quality seed multiplication and distribution. Food businesses can be more innovative, make nutritious potato products available for consumers, and minimize waste. Parents and educators can encourage healthy eating habits among the young and where culturally appropriate, include locally sourced potatoes in meals at school and home. Civil society can organize community events that celebrate the cultural significance of potatoes and help develop fair and profitable potato value chains.