Economic Crisis Threatens Potato Production in Developing Countries

Potato production in the developing world could suffer as the global economic slowdown reduces investment, trade and potato farmers' access to credit, according to a new report by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The threat, says FAO, comes at a time when potatoes have become an important staple food and a lucrative cash crop in many developing countries. China is currently at the top of the potato production ladder, and countries such as Bangladesh, India and Iran are the world's leading potato consumers.

FAO’s report, New Light on a Hidden Treasure, warns that the economic crisis threatens to reduce flows to developing countries of investment and development assistance, including the support to agriculture that has helped many countries strengthen their potato sectors. Developed countries may be tempted to raise trade barriers, which already apply stiff tariffs on imported potato products, while the banking crisis will leave many farmers with no credit to invest in production in 2009.

FAO and the International Potato Center (CIP) call for "potato science at the service of the poor" to strengthen potato farming in developing countries. FAO noted that potato growers urgently need better quality planting material, varieties that are more resistant to pests, diseases, drought and climate change, and farming systems that make more sustainable use of natural resources.

Read more at http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/8901/icode/ New Light on a Hidden Treasure can be downloaded at http://www.potato2008.org/pdf/IYPbook-en.pdf