2024-09-05 09:32:37
The National Institute of Agricultural Research (INIAP), in collaboration with various public and private institutions, commemorated National Potato Day 2024 at the Polytechnic School of Chimborazo (ESPOCH). Under the motto “Technological innovations for sustainable and agroecological management of potatoes”, the event brought together experts and producers to share the latest advances in the potato sector.
INIAP presented innovations in sustainable potato production, highlighting climate-smart practices and the use of the microbiome to mitigate plant pandemics, thus seeking to increase the crop’s resilience to climate change. Annual potato production in 2023 reached 0.3 million tons, with a growth of 4.2% compared to the previous year, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC).
The provinces of Carchi, Cotopaxi and Chimborazo account for 63% of the national potato production. The event officially launched the XXX Congress of the Latin American Potato Association and the XI National Potato Congress 2025, which will bring together experts to exchange knowledge and experiences on potato cultivation and management.
In addition, the “PATA FEST” project, focused on developing technology against the purple tip complex, and the BOLD project, supported by The Crop Trust, were presented. The event was supported by ESPOCH, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), The Crop Trust, the International Potato Center (CIP), and other collaborators committed to the comprehensive development of the potato value chain.