The potato is the fourth most important food crop in the world, with great potential as a food source for future generations. The United Nations (UN) has declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, in Resolution 4/2005 of the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, adopted on 25 November 2005.
This major event will present many opportunities to raise the profile of potato among civil society as an important world food staple, and to raise the profile of the potato as a contributor to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The UN Resolution notes that the potato is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population. It affirms the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty in support of achieving internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals.
Read more about this and The International Potato Center based in Lima, Peru.
Previous Interntional Years:
2002 International Year of Mountains
2003 International Year of Freshwater
2004 International Year of Rice
2005 International Year of Microcredit
2006 International Year of Deserts and Desertification
I stumbled upon this site as I was in the process of doing some online research. I think the potato is one of the world's most underappreciated crops. I'm glad to see it getting the recognition it deserves.
Posted by: panasianbiz | July 26, 2006 at 09:26 AM
Great to see a collection of blog posts that includes thoughtful and perceptive commentary. Keep up the great work!!!
Posted by: Negocio Rentable | February 04, 2010 at 02:51 PM