World potato production could be doubled in 10 years

At the WPC (World Potato Congress) which took place in Dublin (Ireland), during the opening session, QU Dongyu, the Director General of the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations , said in his speech that it was possible to double world potato production in 10 years.

 

The potato, native to South America, is grown on more than 20 million hectares in 150 countries for a total global production of 359 million tonnes in 2020. By focusing on improving yields and exploiting fully the historical potato growing areas, worldwide production can be increased to 500 million tons in 2025 and 750 million tons in 2030, said QU Dongyu.

 

Globally, potato production has increased even as the land devoted to growing them has shrunk, underscoring the role of improved yields, QU Dongyu said. He called for continued efforts at national and global levels with regard to action plans, and further support for research for genetic improvements in potato, for shorter selection cycles for varieties and for virus-free and high-potential seed systems.