International Day to celebrate the potato

The idea for this day arose from the need to highlight the crucial importance of the potato in the fight against food insecurity, poverty and threats to the environment. 

 

The United Nations General Assembly has designated May 30 of each year as International Potato Day. This International Day will be an opportunity to raise awareness of a product regularly consumed by billions of people, and which plays an important role in food security and nutrition on a global scale. 

 

Originating in the Andean region of South America, the potato arrived in Europe in the 16th century and then spread throughout the world. More than just a source of food, the potato is a key component in strategies to provide accessible, nutritious food and improve rural livelihoods. Versatile and able to thrive in all kinds of conditions, the potato appears to be an advantageous choice of crop. 

 

What's more, potato cultivation is climate-friendly, generating few greenhouse gas emissions compared with other crops. 

 

With a growth rate of around +10% in recent years, global potato production still has considerable potential for further development.