News

The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) is pleased to confer its first Director Emeritus titles to past Directors Nora Olsen and Jang Sangha. A newly proposed “Emeritus Policy” was recently adopted by the WPC Inc. Board of Directors with the first nominations unanimously approved.

Over nearly two decades of engagement with the World Potato Congress, Jang Sangha has been a familiar presence at global gatherings — from Boise (2006) and Christchurch (2009) to Edinburgh (2012), Cusco–Peru (2018), Dublin (2022), and Adelaide (2024). His participation and personal dedication to the organization have been influenced by his belief in the power of global collaboration to transform agriculture.

Jang Sangha interacts with speakers and delegates at the World Potato Congress meeting in Adelaide, Australia in June 2024. Photo by Festival City Photography

As Managing Director of the Sangha Group, a pioneering family enterprise overseeing approximately 2,000 hectares of diversified farming operations, Sangha has been at the forefront of integrating mechanization, precision agronomy, and sustainable practices into seed potato production. The Group’s activities span seed generation, crop management, cold storage, and post-harvest value addition, setting benchmarks for progressive farming systems in India.

A strong proponent of farm mechanization and technology-led growth, Sangha has built enduring collaborations with industry leaders. The Sangha Group is among John Deere’s largest individual customers in India, operating a fleet of over 250 tractors, and works closely with Grimme, the global leader in potato equipment manufacturing, to advance mechanized planting, harvesting, and grading systems suited to Indian conditions. These partnerships have positioned the Group at the cutting edge of scale-efficient and sustainable agricultural operations.

Sangha’s influence extends well beyond his own enterprise. He has served on the Boards of the Punjab Agricultural University, the World Potato Congress, and the Australia India Institute. Since 2008, he has also served as Secretary General of the Confederation of Potato Seed Farmers, where he has championed initiatives that connect farmers, researchers, and policymakers to drive innovation in seed quality, agronomy, and farmer-led modernization.

Reflecting his global outlook, Sangha has collaborated on international research partnerships with the University of Lincoln (UK) and Punjab Agricultural University (India), focusing on the reduction of food losses and post-harvest efficiency — key priorities in building resilience and sustainability across the potato supply chain.

At the heart of Sangha’s work lies a deep sense of continuity and legacy. His late father, Hardev Singh Sangha, established a pioneering seed potato production model in the 1960s and was honoured with the prestigious WPC Industry Award at Christchurch in 2009 for his groundbreaking contributions. Jang Sangha continues to uphold these values of integrity, innovation, and collaboration, which he credits as the foundation of lasting professional relationships — both within India and internationally.

Speaking on his association with the Congress, Sangha describes the WPC as “an unparalleled global platform that connects science, policy, and practice — where shared learning transcends geography and culture.” He believes the Congress continues to play a vital role in shaping the potato’s future as a crop of resilience, nutrition, and opportunity for farmers across the world.

Nora Olsen leads a World Potato Congress meeting in Cuzco, Peru, in May 2018. Photo: Bill Schaefer Photography

Dr. Nora Olsen’s conferral of Director Emeritus by the World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) recognizes her more than ten years of dedicated service and influential leadership in the global potato sector. Since joining the WPC Board in 2014, Nora has driven major initiatives—including the launch and ongoing development of the WPC Webinar Series, a platform that continues to connect and educate potato professionals worldwide. Having attended seven World Potato Congresses over the years, she has also been a regular featured speaker at Congress events and industry conferences, where her engaging style and deep expertise have inspired audiences across the globe.

Nora’s impact goes far beyond her WPC roles. She is a Professor and Potato Specialist at the University of Idaho, with more than 25 years of research and extension work focused on postharvest management, disease control, and sustainable potato production. Her research has shaped best practices for growers internationally.

Nora was the first female President of Potato Association of America (PAA), has served as chair of the Extension section and participated on various committees. She was named an Honorary Life Member in 2019 for her outstanding service.

She is a board member of the North America Potato Storage Organization (NAPSO) and a driving force in the organization, co-hosting landmark events such as the Potato Storage Symposium. In the international arena, she serves as a member of the European Association of Potato Research. In addition, Nora has served as a trusted advisor and collaborator on with the Idaho Crop Improvement Association, helping to advance crop management standards in Idaho and beyond.

Nora made history as the first woman to serve on the WPC Executive and as the first female President of the Potato Association of America. Her efforts have been recognized with prestigious accolades, including Spudman’s Woman of the Year award, acknowledging her lasting impact on potato research and outreach as well as Honorary Life Member, Potato Association of America (2019). She has also received multiple extension and Research Awards recognizing her contributions to potato storage, disease management, and industry education at local, national, and international levels.

Nora has inspired many professionals in the field, serving as a role model for researchers and extension professionals, occasionally referred to as the “Queen of Potatoes”. Nora’s extensive network and influence have made her a sought-after speaker and advisor, regularly invited to lead seminars, webinars, and industry symposia.

Upon learning of this appointment, Nora spoke to the value of attending a congress. “There is such value in this organization and in attending the Congress – the international networking and connections made thru the in-person congress and on-line, the continuity that flows from country to country on the need and desire to produce potatoes to feed the world and the integration of all sectors from ‘research to production to marketing’ at a congress provides continued momentum for the potato industry. The value from this type of networking has changed the global industry. I love how the organization reaches diverse audiences and encourages participation and provides availability of resources for everyone.”

World Potato Congress Inc. President Peter VanderZaag offered his congratulations to Jang Sangha and Nora Olsen. “Your legacy will continue to shape innovation, education, and partnership throughout the potato sector.”