News
Dr. Simon Heck Appointment
World Potato Congress Inc. congratulates Dr. Simon Heck in his appointment as Director General of CIP and CGIAR Senior Director.
The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors congratulates Dr. Simon Heck on being chosen as the next Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP), headquartered in Lima Peru.
Simon has led the CIP sweet potato program for the past ten years, reaching over seven million households, primarily in Africa, with bio-fortified sweet potatoes. He is well recognized for his unique ability to have research results quickly tested and, if proven successful, swiftly adapted and implemented by farmers and stakeholders in many countries.
Dr. Peter VanderZaag, WPC President, looks forward to working closely with Dr. Simon Heck. “Both the World Potato Congress Board of Directors and the global team under the direction of Dr. Heck have similar missions as we fulfill objectives designed to improve global food security. The WPC has benefited greatly from the ongoing support of CIP. “
Dr. Simon Heck will assume his new role on March 1, 2023. Dr Oscar Ortiz, who served as Interim Director General, will continue his role as CGIAR Senior Director for Crop-based systems, based in Lima.
Latest News
The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors is very pleased to announce Netafim as its newest Platinum Sustaining Partner. President & CEO Romain Cools stated: “Getting Netafim on…
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar March 31, 2021 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time – “Late Blight: 175 years of experience. What have we learned? An update.” presented by Albert…
Franz Grimme, honorary citizen of Damme (Germany) and owner of the GRIMME Group, turns 75 on 3 March this year. In 1970, at the age of 24, he joined GRIMME…
The World Potato Congress Inc.’s (WPC) Board of Directors is very pleased to announce TriCal Group as its newest Platinum Sustaining Partner. President & CEO Romain Cools stated:”TriCal Group is…
Willie Jacobs took over the leadership of Potatoes South Africa (PSA) as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) after Dr. André Jooste, who as part of his career planning, left the organization…
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar February 18, 2021 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time – “Aeroponics for Nuclear Seed Potato Production: History, Status and Challenges” with Dr. Peter VanderZaag The…
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar January 14, 2021 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time – “The Impact of Climate Change on Removing Energy from a Potato Storage with an Ambient…
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar December 15, 2020 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time – “Developing the Pipeline from Genomics to New Products” with Dr. Mark Taylor The World Potato…
World Potato Congress Inc. Webinar November 12, 2020 at 09:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time – “Above and Below Ground: Diseases threatening sustainable potato production” with Professor Jacquie van der Waals…
The World Potato Congress is very pleased to be beginning its Fall webinar series on November 12, 2020 with Professor Jacquie van der Waals from the University of Pretoria, South…