International Potato Day: Celebrating a Versatile Staple
On May 30th of this year, the world celebrated the first International Potato Day, as this root vegetable forms the basis of the diet for over two-thirds of the world’s population. According to the UN, by 2030, the total global potato production will reach 750 million tons, an increase of 112%.
Experts note that potatoes are not only a food crop with ancient origins, originating in the Andean region of South America and making its way to Europe in the 16th century before spreading worldwide.
Today, almost half of all potatoes are used as a staple food or a source of vegetables in households. The leaders in potato production are China and India, as well as Ukraine and the Russian Federation. However, in these countries, Belarus leads in potato production per capita.
Potatoes exceed their significance as a simple food product. This plant is quite resilient to various natural conditions, allowing it to grow even in dry, cold, and less fertile soil. Family farmers play an important role in potato production and contribute to reducing hunger and poverty on the planet.
The International Potato Day, established in December 2023, aims to raise awareness of the value of potatoes from various perspectives — nutritional, economic, environmental, and cultural. Potatoes are a strategic element in providing affordable and nutritious food for residents of urban and rural areas. Its cultivation is associated with low greenhouse gas emissions, making it an environmentally safe crop.
