The WPC is excited to support the FAO in the launch of the theme for the 2nd International Day of Potato:

Shaping history, feeding the future.

From the FAO press release: “This year’s theme is in recognition of the journey of the potato – from its domestication in the Andes and global dissemination following the Columbian Exchange, through the unfortunate Irish Potato Famine, to its current status as a major staple for millions – while also acknowledging the opportunities and challenges that exist across its value chain.”

“From the soil to the plate, the potato holds the power to transform lives,” says Yurdi Yasmi, Director of FAO Plant Production and Protection Division. “To ensure a sustainable food-secure future benefiting from potato, we must accelerate the adoption of climate-smart varieties and agronomic practices, scale up access to quality seeds and promote integrated pest management of the crop. In doing so, we can grow a future where every farmer thrives, every plate is nourishing, and every harvest feeds hope,” he explains.

A brief history of the formation of International Day of the Potato

In 2021, the World Potato Congress Inc, (WPC), under the support of Directors Romain Cools and André Devaux, began to explore the idea of a day to celebrate and honour the potato. Over the years, multiple countries from around the world, led by Peru, became engaged with the WPC to lobby FAO/UN on this initiative. In December 2023, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 30 May as the International Day of Potato.

After an initial launch in Rome in May of 2024, the WPC is excited to be collaborating with the FAO again this year in launching the theme and official campaign for the second year of the International Day of Potato. This release is in 6 official languages and can be found here. https://www.fao.org/plant-production-protection/news-and-events/news/news-detail/fao-announces-the-theme-for-international-day-of-potato-2025/en

How can you Celebrate:

More resources can be found on the FAO website to help in promoting and shaping your day.

The second edition of A Guide to International Day of Potato for ideas, resources, and practical tips for different stakeholders to engage in the Day meaningfully. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

The International Day of Potato website for up-to-date news, stories, events, videos, and facts on the potato.

The Digital Media Hub to download the official visual identity and communications materials in six official FAO languages to advocate for the potato.

The Trello board to access ready-to-use social media contents and publish your posts incorporating the hashtag #InternationalDayofPotato.

The original slogan and logo “Harvesting diversity, feeding hope”, will remain as the permanent visual for IDP with a new theme chosen each year.

The FAO and WPC encourages all levels to use the guide, visual identity and tag line provided by the FAO to celebrate the potato in their region of the globe and share your campaign #InternationalDayofPotato.

As the 3rd most consumed food globally, the potato also offers enormous untapped potential. We can all get involved. Together we can raise awareness and advance the potential of the potato to combat hunger and malnutrition.

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