10th World Potato Congress in the city of Cusco from 27th to 31st May

For the first time in Latin America

Lima 9 May 2018.-  The 10th World Potato Congress – XXVIII Congress of the Latin American Potato Association, takes place in the city of Cusco from 27 to 31 Mayo,  hosting  scientists and people working on the study, conservation and commercialization of this native Andean tuber. Peru is the first Latin American country to host this key event, representing an opportunity to showcase potato’s agricultural potential, and highlighting the great diversity of native potatoes and the crop’s importance as a beneficial global food source.

“Potato plays a fundamental role in the Peruvian economy and the nutrition of its people. At CIP we focus on protecting Andean crops, promoting sustainable agriculture and contributing to food security through research on potato and its many varieties. Attendees at this event will be able to see the main findings of our research and benefit from the experience we’ve gained over the 47 years that we have been working with this emblematic crop” said Oscar Ortiz, Deputy Director General, Research and Development, International Potato Center (CIP).

In terms of biodiversity, CIP is home to and studies 4,954 cultivated potato specimens, including traditional and improved varieties, alongside potato wild relatives (2,338) and current breeding lines (3,683), making it the largest collection in the world. In addition, the institution has been working hard on its potato breeding program, developing, for example, a group of advanced clones with a 50% higher content of essential micronutrients iron and zinc. The program has also developed a group of resilient potato clones with resistance to diseases such as late blight and drought, and heat and frost. CIP also develops and promotes technologies to boost farmers’ production.

As for agribusiness, in recent years the yellow and native potato sector in South America has grown in importance, due to added value both locally and internationally. With a view to the future, CIP is also carrying out research related to climate-smart agriculture and the valuable contribution potatoes can make to nutrition and health as a commercial concept. The future of the potato business involves generating options for processing and articulating varieties in global markets.

One of CIP’s most important functions is its work supporting farmers in the management of pests, which are causing either partial or complete crop losses, and we will be making some important new announcements on this.

Just one of the reasons why the 10th World Potato Congress is a unique opportunity to learn much more about this millennial crop, the work that is being done,  and the projects that will enhance and improve the potato market in our country.

About CIP

The International Potato Center (CIP), with headquarters in Lima, was founded in 1971 as a root and tuber research-for-development institution delivering sustainable solutions to the pressing world problems of hunger, poverty and the degradation of natural resources. CIP is custodian to a collection of potato, sweetpotato and Andean roots and tubers including the world’s largest collection of potato diversity. CIP has regional offices in Peru, Ecuador, Kenia, India and China and works all over the world with projects in 30 developing countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

CIP is part of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food security, improving human health and nutrition, and ensuring a more sustainable management of natural resources. Its research is carried out by 15 CGIAR Centers, in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. www.cgiar.org

Contact:

Roberto Yaya Sánchez
Burson Marsteller
965 393 587
roberto.yaya@bm.com

María Elena Lanatta
International Potato Center
981 187 198
m.lanatta@cgiar.org

Download News Release – Announcement Congress

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