Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), delivered the keynote speech at the World Potato Congress in Ireland, which took place from May 30 to June 2, according to the Federal Journal of Agribusiness.
The potato has the potential to make an even greater contribution to world history and global food security, and the total production of this food crop could double in the next 10 years. This was stated in his keynote speech by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu at the 11th World Potato Congress in Dublin.
Today, the potato, which has its genetic roots in South America, is grown on more than 20 million hectares in 150 countries, and the total global production in 2020 was 359 million tons. production can be increased to 500 million tons in 2025 and 750 million tons in 2030, said the FAO Director-General.
“Potato will become one of the profitable crops in the global food security system when the yield of other crops is close to the limit,” said Qu Dongyu. He also noted that Asia and Africa are the regions with the fastest growth in potato production at present, while production is declining in Europe and North America. Globally, potato production has increased even as acreage has declined, highlighting the role of higher yields.
Noting the importance of decent rural employment, nutritious food supply, and stressing the need for inclusive policies, plans and actions, he called for increased support for potato genetic improvements and shorter potato breeding cycles, as well as the potential value of virus-free potato seed systems.
The genebank of the Lima International Potato Center has preserved over 7 different local varieties and wild relatives that have a wide range of traits, including the ability to adapt to different production conditions and resist various pests and diseases. Qu Dongyu stressed that the potato's relatively low demand for natural resources makes it an important food crop for people to survive famines and natural disasters. In China, the potato is considered the crop of choice for increasing incomes and reducing poverty, he said, noting that the country's spatial distribution closely matches that of previously poor areas, especially mountainous areas.