The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has announced the theme for the second observance of the International Day of Potato in 2025: “Shaping history, feeding the future”. This significant event scheduled on 30th May 2025 provides an opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey of the potato and its ongoing vital role in global food systems.
The theme aptly captures the duality of the potato’s impact. Historically, the potato has a rich and sometimes challenging past. From its origins and domestication high in the Andes, its global spread following the Columbian Exchange profoundly influenced diets and agriculture worldwide. This journey also includes challenging periods, notably the unfortunate Irish Potato Famine, which highlighted both the reliance on and vulnerability associated with this crop. Yet, despite these historical challenges, the potato has persevered and is now a major staple for millions across the globe.
Looking to the future, the potato’s importance continues to grow. It stands as the world’s leading non-grain food crop. In 2023, it reached a record annual production of 383 million tonnes, demonstrating its immense productivity. Cultivated in more than 100 countries, its adaptability, high yield, and nutritional value make it a crucial element for food security and nutrition, particularly in developing countries which now account for over half of global output. For millions of small-scale farmers worldwide, the potato serves as a vital cash crop. Furthermore, its unique market dynamics, where local prices are often driven by domestic production rather than volatile international markets, make it a valuable food security asset for vulnerable consumers during periods of global supply chain instability.
Yurdi Yasmi, Director of the FAO Plant Production and Protection Division, highlights the transformative power of the potato, stating, “From the soil to the plate, the potato holds the power to transform lives”. To secure a sustainable, food-secure future leveraging the benefits of the potato, FAO emphasizes key actions. These include accelerating the adoption of climate-smart varieties and agronomic practices, scaling up access to quality seeds for farmers, and promoting integrated pest management techniques. These steps are crucial to ensure that “every farmer thrives, every plate is nourishing, and every harvest feeds hope”.
The 2025 observance of the International Day of Potato is particularly significant as it occurs during FAO’s 80th anniversary year. It aims to shine a light on the potato’s critical contributions to food security, nutrition, rural livelihoods, and income generation, while also identifying constraints in its value chain and envisioning its future. FAO has launched a global campaign to raise awareness of the potato’s dietary, socioeconomic, and environmental benefits. The public is encouraged to help shape the future of this crop by organising or participating in events. A range of resources, including the second edition of the Guide to International Day of Potato, the dedicated website, and digital media materials, are available to facilitate engagement. By joining the global effort and using the hashtag #InternationalDayofPotato, we can continue to raise the profile of this important crop and promote its vital role now and in the future.
