The “2025 International Day of Potato and the 3rd CIP-China Center for Asia Pacific” was successfully held in Yanqing, Beijing, from May 28 to 30. The event, jointly organized by the FAO in China and the CIP-China Center for Asia Pacific, brought together over 200 officials, experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs from domestic and international government and business sectors. Under the theme “Shaping History, Feeding the Future,” participants engaged in discussions on the vital role of potatoes in ensuring food security, promoting sustainable agriculture, and revitalizing rural areas.
On May 30, the opening ceremony featured speeches from representatives of governments, research institutions, and enterprises, underscoring the significance of potatoes in global food security and sustainable agricultural development. The event also marked the launch of the “Launch Ceremony of the Potato Light Initiative for Rural Revitalization,” which aims to address challenges in education, aging, technology, and culture in potato-growing regions, thereby supporting rural revitalization.
Science at the Forefront
This year’s event also featured a robust scientific program, drawing speakers from across Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Over 20 scientists presented their latest research in areas such as:
Genetics & Breeding:
- Prof. Hequang Sun (Xi’an Jiaotong University) – Advances in tetraploid potato pangenome research
- Dr. Ma Ling (Yunnan Normal University) – Unlocking hybrid breeding in diploid potatoes
- Dr. Cao Qinghe (Xuzhou Academy) – Sweetpotato germplasm conservation strategies in China
Digital & Smart Agriculture:
- Dr. Francois Serneels (ULB/VigiMap, Belgium) – AI-powered late blight forecasting
- Prof. Ji Zhou (The Digital Science Department of the Cambridge Crop Research Centre) – Remote sensing and smart phenotyping in the field
Conservation & Cryo-Technology:
- Dr. Rainer Vollmer (CIP Genebank) – Innovations in cryo-preservation of potato and sweetpotato
Workshops and expert panels explored themes such as pest and disease management, climate-resilient varieties, digital tools for smallholders, and market systems—highlighting the role of science in shaping a more equitable and food-secure future. The scientific program was curated by an international Scientific Committee, ensuring academic excellence and representation across regions and disciplines.
The initiative encompasses five key actions: educational revitalization through scholarships, book donations, curriculum development, and psychological counseling; elderly care and agricultural support with health services, technical training, and volunteer team building; research advancement focusing on variety improvement, technology promotion, and industrial upgrading; cultural preservation and activities promotion; and public welfare ecological co-construction through research, resource integration, and brand building. A donation of Wei Bei calligraphy artworks also highlighted the cultural dimension of the initiative.
The event garnered global attention with over 20,000 online viewers. Topics such as “potato diversity conservation,” “regenerative agricultural practices,” and “genetic breeding and gene editing” sparked extensive discussions. The CIP Asia-Pacific Center reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to drive technological innovation and sustainable development in the potato and sweet potato industries.
The event garnered global attention with over 20,000 online viewers. Topics such as “potato diversity conservation,” “regenerative agricultural practices,” and “genetic breeding and gene editing” sparked extensive discussions. The CIP Asia-Pacific Center reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening international cooperation to drive technological innovation and sustainable development in the potato and sweet potato industries.