September 2008
With the global rice shortage and food crisis sending ominous rumblings through the world's stomachs, global attention is turning to an age-old crop that could help ease the strain of food price inflation and provide a much-needed source of income and nutrition for people in the developing world.
In a bid to raise awareness of the key role played by the humble Solanum tuberosum in agriculture, global economies and food security, the United Nations has declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato.There's also another very practical aim: to promote the development of sustainable potato-based food systems which will enhance the well-being of producers and consumers, helping to realise the vegetable's potential as a food of the future.
Hidden Treasure
Dubbed a "hidden treasure" by the UN, the potato is simple to grow, quick to mature, needs little water and boasts yields two to four times greater than that of wheat or rice. It's also perfectly suited to places where land is limited and labour is plentiful - conditions that characterise a great deal of the developing world.
Potatoes can be grown at almost any elevation or climate require little water
The potato produces more nutritious food more quickly, on less land, and in harsher climates than any other major crop. Besides carbohydrates, the potato has one of the highest protein contents among root and tuber crops, contains just 1% fat and is rich in fibre, vitamin C and potassium.
the world's population is expected to grow on average by more than 100 million a year.
Over the next two decades, the world's population is expected to grow on average by more than 100 million a year. More than 95% of that increase will occur in the developing countries, where pressure on land and water is already intense. The challenge for the international community is to ensure food security for present and future generations, while protecting the natural resource base on which we all depend. The potato clearly has a major part to play in meeting that challenge.
And nearer home...
The UK's Potato Council, which represents more than 3,000 growers, has invoked the wartime spirit, suggesting that people nervous of the credit crunch should turn to potatoes to keep them healthy. So why not take them at their word and try growing your own? There's nothing quite like the taste of your own freshly-dug spuds and, contrary to what many gardeners would have you believe, it's really not that difficult. Better still, you can experiment with different varieties you can't always find in the shops. Green-fingered gourmets can find everything they need to know at:
