International Potato Day: The tuber that feeds the world

Every May 30th, International Potato Day is celebrated, a date established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the purpose of recognizing the importance of this ancient tuber in global food security, the eradication of hunger, and economic development, especially in rural areas.

The potato (Solanum tuberosum) is native to the South American Andes, specifically the high areas of Peru and Bolivia, where it was domesticated more than 7,000 years ago. With European colonization, the potato traveled to Europe and, later, to the rest of the world, becoming one of the most consumed crops on the planet.

Currently, over 100 countries produce potatoes. Among the main ones are China, India, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, Germany, and Peru. According to the FAO, more than 368 million tons are produced annually, making this tuber the third most important food crop in the world, after rice and wheat.

A global celebration with local roots

International Potato Day is celebrated especially in key producing and consuming countries, such as:

• Peru, where the potato is a national symbol and there are more than 3,000 native varieties. The country celebrates this day with fairs, gastronomic exhibitions, and educational activities.
• Bolivia and Ecuador, also rich in Andean varieties, highlight their cultural and nutritional value.
• India and China, the main producers, carry out agricultural activities, scientific forums, and awareness campaigns about their economic and food value.
• In European countries like Ireland, the potato has a strong historical link due to its role in the Great Famine of the 19th century.

Varieties:

There are more than 4,000 varieties of potatoes worldwide, classified by colors, sizes, textures, and flavors. They are mainly grouped into:

• Andean native potatoes: With vibrant colors, rich in antioxidants.
• White or yellow potatoes: The most common in global consumption.
• Mealy and waxy potatoes: Depending on their starch content, ideal for frying, boiling, or mashing.

In the Dominican Republic, the potato is an important agricultural crop, although it does not have the same prominence as in Andean countries like Peru or Bolivia. Even so, it plays a relevant role in the local diet, in the economy of certain regions, and in the supply of the national market.

More than food: a development engine

The potato sustains the economy of millions of farming families, especially in rural areas of Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Its cultivation requires less water than other basic foods and is highly adaptable to climate change, which positions it as a strategic crop in the face of the challenges of the 21st century.

International Potato Day not only celebrates a versatile and nutritious food, but also highlights the need to protect agrobiodiversity, promote sustainable agriculture, and value the ancestral knowledge of indigenous peoples. The potato, beyond a tuber, is a symbol of identity, resistance, and hope for future food security.