News in Brief:
– IFAD reaffirmed its commitment to investing in Latin American potato farmers, providing financial opportunities, technical assistance, and market access to enhance livelihoods and promote sustainable agriculture.
– Significant projects in Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia highlight IFAD’s efforts to improve food security, support biodiversity, and strengthen economic growth, benefiting over 2.1 million rural families in the region.
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has reaffirmed its commitment to potato farmers in Latin America on the occasion of the first International Potato Day. This move aims to support the preservation of potatoes, a crucial resource in combating hunger and malnutrition globally.
Rossana Polastri, IFAD’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, highlighted the agency’s efforts to improve the living conditions of small-scale potato farmers. It offers financial opportunities through various programs to enhance agricultural skills, promote sustainable resource use, and facilitate market access. These efforts particularly benefit vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and indigenous peoples.
The importance of growing potatoes
The United Nations General Assembly designated May 30 as International Potato Day, acknowledging the crop’s role in providing employment and promoting sustainable economic growth. Potatoes are pivotal in achieving Zero Hunger and advancing sustainable agriculture. Notably, countries like Peru cultivate over 4,000 of the world’s 5,000 potato varieties, emphasising their nutritional and cultural significance.
Case Studies: successful projects
- Peru’s Sustainable Territorial Development Project (PDTS-VRAEM):
- Funded by IFAD and the Peruvian Government, this project introduced new investment plans for potato production using ancestral techniques.
- It improved the resilience and food security of over 1,200 farming families in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru.
- Argentina’s Processing Plant for Andean Potatoes and Quinoa:
- This project, with a budget of nearly $39 million, was partly funded by IFAD.
- It aimed at improving local processing capabilities, thus enhancing the value chain.
- Bolivia’s Rural Access Project:
- IFAD and the Bolivian government supported this project, focusing on irrigation systems, road improvements, and other infrastructures to boost potato production.
Promoting biodiversity and innovation
IFAD also launched the “Guardians of Native Potatoes” monitoring contest in Peru, encouraging communities to identify and conserve different native potato varieties. The competition, in collaboration with the International Potato Center and other national organisations, involves students and teachers, fostering the use of digital platforms for wider dissemination.
IFAD’s investments in Latin America and the Caribbean have reached historic highs, with 31 operations in 17 countries, totaling $1.6 billion. This funding, partly from IFAD and co-financed by national and international sources, has positively impacted 2.1 million rural families.
