2008 is the international year of the potato. Here are some things you did not know about the potato and its potential. The facts below are taken from potato2008.org and FAO.
According to FAO, “often underrated, this hardy Andean tuber grows fast, is adaptable, high yielding and responsive to low inputs.”
The potato is a highly recommended food security crop that can help shield low-income countries from rising international food prices.
Rural women provide most of the labour in both small- and large-scale potato production - from conservation and seed selection, to planting, harvesting, storing and marketing
Developing countries are now the world's biggest potato producers - and importers - and consumer demand is shifting from fresh tubers to processed products.
Having lost many of their traditional potato varieties, Peruvian farmers in the Andes are now taking measures to conserve and sustainably use those that remain, thereby helping ensure world food security.
Finally, if you are photographer, you are not too late for the World potato photography competition which closes on 1 September.
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This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions