By Lukie Pieterse | Potato News Today

Honoring the humble potato — nourishing billions, building food security for the future.

On May 30, the world once again celebrated the International Day of the Potato, a United Nations-designated occasion honoring the potato’s vital role in global food security. Now in its second official year since being proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 2023, the Day provides a global platform to celebrate the humble potato’s contribution to fighting hunger, supporting sustainable agriculture, and nourishing billions worldwide.

According to the UN and its Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the potato helps to feed more than two billion people across over 150 countries. “The potato is a powerhouse for global food security—an affordable, versatile, and nutritious crop with an enormous potential to address hunger and support sustainable agriculture,” the FAO emphasizes.

A Critical Crop in the Global Fight Against Food Insecurity

The need for resilient food crops like the potato is more urgent than ever. According to the FAO’s 2024 report on food security, nearly 30% of the world’s population—some 2.4 billion people—experienced moderate to severe food insecurity in the past year. Millions remain at risk of malnutrition as climate disruptions, conflict, and economic crises strain global food systems.

In this context, the potato stands as a powerful ally:

• Potatoes yield more calories per unit of land and water than nearly any other staple crop.
• They thrive in diverse ecosystems—from high-altitude Andes to tropical Africa to temperate Europe.
• Potatoes grow well in short cycles, offering fast harvests even in fragile or disrupted farming environments.
• Nutritionally, potatoes are a rich source of energy, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and other micronutrients vital for combatting malnutrition.

“Potatoes are an important component of diversified, nutritious diets, particularly in regions where other staples may not provide sufficient micronutrients,” the FAO further notes.

A Champion of Sustainable Agriculture

Sustainability was front and center in this year’s International Day of the Potato campaign. As climate change intensifies and agriculture faces mounting environmental pressures, the potato’s qualities make it a key crop for future food systems:

• It uses less water than many cereals.
• It produces lower greenhouse gas emissions per calorie than rice or wheat.
• Modern potato breeding is advancing resilience traits, such as heat, drought, and disease tolerance.

As FAO Director-General QU Dongyu said in his address: “Promoting sustainable potato production and improving value chains will not only enhance livelihoods but will also strengthen local food security and nutrition outcomes.”

Potato Nutrition: A Powerhouse of Nutrients

Potatoes are often undervalued for their nutritional contribution — yet they are a true “powerhouse” among staple crops. A medium-sized potato provides not only energy in the form of complex carbohydrates, but also key vitamins and minerals that support overall health.

Naturally fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium, potatoes are a rich source of vitamin C, potassium (even more than bananas), vitamin B6, and dietary fiber — especially when consumed with the skin.

Their versatility makes them an accessible, affordable, and nutrient-dense option for people of all ages and cultures. As more consumers seek out whole, plant-based foods, the potato stands out as both a nourishing choice and a culinary favorite.

A medium-sized (5.3 oz) skin-on potato typically provides:

• 110 calories
• 3 grams protein
• 26 grams carbohydrates
• 2 grams fiber
• 30% DV Vitamin C
• 15% DV Potassium
• 10% DV Vitamin B6

Source: Potatoes USA

Voices from the Field: Farmers and Experts Speak

Across the world, farmers and researchers shared reflections this year on what the potato means in their communities:

• Dr. Monica Parker, Senior Scientist, International Potato Center (CIP), Lima: “Potatoes originated in the Andes, but today they are grown in more than 160 countries. CIP’s mission is to ensure that improved, climate-resilient potato varieties reach farmers from Peru to sub-Saharan Africa to Central Asia. The potato is a bridge between biodiversity, food security, and resilient livelihoods.”
• Sipho Dlamini, farmer, Mpumalanga, South Africa: “In our region, potatoes have become a vital source of income and nutrition. We are learning to adapt to drought with new seed varieties and smarter irrigation. For us, potatoes are not just a crop—they are our future.”
• Anjali Kumar, woman farmer, Bihar, India: “Potatoes help us feed our families and sell to local markets. They are easy to grow, and even with changing weather, they remain reliable. For women farmers like me, potatoes offer opportunity.”
• Dr. Zhang Wei, potato breeder, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences: “China is the world’s largest potato producer. We see potatoes as a pillar of food security. Research into higher-yielding, disease-resistant potatoes is helping us meet national nutrition goals.”
• Jan Kowalski, farmer, Poznań, Poland: “In Europe, the potato is both tradition and innovation. We are investing in modern storage and precision farming to ensure the potato remains a healthy, sustainable choice for future generations.”
• Randy Hardy, farmer, Oakley, Idaho, USA (quote from Idaho Potato Commission profile): “Potatoes have been part of my family’s farming tradition for decades. Their adaptability to Idaho’s climate and soil makes them a crop we can count on season after season.” [3]
• Jan van der Meer, farmer, Flevoland, Netherlands (from Dutch ag media interviews): “As one of the world’s top exporters of seed potatoes, Dutch farmers see quality and innovation as key to maintaining leadership. The potato connects us to global markets.”
• Klaus Müller, farmer, Lower Saxony, Germany (Kartoffel.de interview): “Germany’s potato industry serves both local consumers and major export markets. Sustainable production and storage innovations are helping us secure the crop’s future.”
• Marie Dubois, farmer, Wallonia, Belgium (Belgapom quotes): “Potatoes are central to Belgian agriculture and cuisine. The support from Belgapom’s market systems helps farmers like us navigate price fluctuations and maintain strong production.”

Voices from the Table: The Potato’s Place on the Plate

Consumers, chefs, and nutrition advocates also weighed in:

• Chef María Torres, Lima, Peru: “With more than 4,000 native varieties, the potato is woven into Peruvian identity. From simple soups to fine dining, the potato connects us to history, culture, and flavor.”
• Dr. Samuel Opoku, nutritionist, Ghana: “Biofortified potatoes are helping address vitamin A deficiencies in parts of Africa. They are affordable, adaptable to local diets, and well accepted by families.”
• Anne McLeod, consumer, Canada: “Potatoes are affordable, versatile, and a comfort food for my family. With food prices high, they are an everyday staple in our kitchen.”
• Chef Johannes Langer, Berlin, Germany: “Few ingredients match the potato’s versatility. In modern European cuisine, we see new interest in heirloom varieties and creative uses of this ancient crop.”
• Dr. Saskia Verhoeven, nutritionist, Netherlands: “Potatoes remain a valuable part of balanced diets—rich in potassium and fiber, naturally gluten-free, and adaptable to health-conscious cooking.”
• Claire Vandenberghe, food writer and blogger, Belgium: “From Belgian frites to rustic farm meals, potatoes are central to our culinary culture. The beauty of potatoes is that they connect generations and evolve with new trends.”

The Role of the International Potato Center (CIP)

Founded in 1971 in Lima, Peru, the International Potato Center (CIP) leads global research on potato breeding, climate resilience, and food systems. CIP works to:

• Develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant potato varieties.
• Advance biofortified potatoes to combat micronutrient deficiencies.
• Improve seed systems and post-harvest storage.
• Support gender equity and smallholder livelihoods.

CIP’s mission of science-driven innovation for food security resonates strongly on International Day of the Potato.

The World Potato Congress: Connecting the Global Potato Community

The World Potato Congress (WPC), founded in 1993, brings together potato professionals, researchers, and stakeholders worldwide. Through congresses, webinars, and knowledge exchange, WPC promotes:

• Innovation and sustainability in potato production.
• Global collaboration across research and industry.
• Policy advocacy for the role of the potato in food security.

As WPC President John Griffin has stated: “The potato is a global crop with the power to improve lives—from smallholder farms to world markets. WPC is proud to help unite and advance this dynamic community.”

Looking Ahead: Potatoes and the Future of Food

As the FAO and United Nations emphasize, the potato must remain central to global efforts to build more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive food systems. The road ahead presents both great challenges and unprecedented opportunities.

Climate change is reshaping agriculture worldwide — with more frequent droughts, heatwaves, and extreme weather disrupting production. In this uncertain landscape, the potato’s adaptability, short growth cycle, and relatively low input requirements position it as a climate-smart crop that can help buffer communities against instability.

At the same time, the world faces a mounting nutrition crisis. Even in regions where calories are sufficient, billions still suffer from hidden hunger — deficiencies in vital micronutrients. Here too, the potato offers solutions. Through innovations in breeding and biofortification, new potato varieties can provide enhanced levels of vitamins and minerals, contributing to healthier diets.

Moreover, the potato offers a powerful lever for promoting equity and economic opportunity. In many countries, women make up a significant share of potato growers and value chain participants. Targeted investments in potato research, training, and market development can help lift rural families out of poverty — particularly in Africa, South Asia, and Latin America, where potato cultivation is expanding rapidly.

Looking forward, the international potato community must continue to drive progress in several key areas:

• Climate-resilient varieties: Accelerate development and dissemination of potato cultivars that withstand heat, drought, and emerging pests and diseases.
• Sustainable practices: Promote regenerative agriculture, precision irrigation, and low-carbon storage systems.
• Nutrition and health: Advance biofortified and diverse potato types to enrich diets and combat malnutrition.
• Equitable value chains: Strengthen market access for smallholder farmers, particularly women and marginalized groups.
• Innovation and knowledge exchange: Foster global collaboration among scientists, growers, policymakers, and industry partners — leveraging networks like the World Potato Congress and CIP.

As the FAO reminds us: “The International Day of the Potato is not only about celebrating a crop — it is about advancing a vision of global food systems that are more secure, sustainable, and inclusive.”

In this vision, the potato stands not merely as a food of the past or present, but as a food of the future — one that can nourish billions, empower communities, and help forge a more resilient world.

Or, as Dr. Barbara Wells, former Director General of the International Potato Center, once eloquently put it: “The potato’s journey from Andean origins to global food hero continues. Together, we must ensure that this remarkable crop reaches its full potential in nourishing people and building resilient food systems.”

For farmers, researchers, processors, policymakers, and consumers alike, the work continues. On this International Day of the Potato — and every day that follows — let us carry this mission forward with renewed purpose and collective resolve.

Potato News Today will explore these themes further in an upcoming feature: ‘The Future of the Potato — Building Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems.’ Stay tuned.

Author: Lukie Pieterse, Editor and Publisher Potato News Today
News about the Day: See this FAO page
Images: Credit Potato News Today