News
World Potato Congress Inc. Welcomes New International Advisors
The World Potato Congress Inc. (WPC) is pleased to welcome Douglas Harley and Derek Roulston as International Advisors. As stated by President Peter VanderZaag, “The WPC looks forward to working with Doug and Derek. They bring a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the world of potatoes, particularly in Europe and Africa. As such, they will provide significant contributions to understanding the potato profile within those regions and on a global scale.”
Douglas (Doug) Harley is Group Managing Director of Alexander Harley Seeds Ltd., a family-owned group of seed companies involved in breeding and marketing a broad range of crops. Its potato activities are undertaken by Cygnet which is the largest breeder of potatoes in the UK. Cygnet has successfully introduced several varieties, its latest being Kingsman and Elland. Cygnet is a vertically integrated company that produces their own minitubers and controls the production of over 30,000 tonnes of seed potatoes in Scotland which are then exported to over 40 countries around the world.
Doug has an Honours Degree in Agriculture and Crop Science from Aberdeen University and has held several roles representing Cygnet and Scottish seed potatoes on organizations in the UK and abroad including BPTA, BSPB, Euroseeds and Breeders Trust. As a previous Director and Chair of the Awards Committee, he has previously served with WPC for several years.
Derek Roulston was brought up in a farming family in Co. Donegal Ireland. He was the third generation to grow certified potato seed on the farm which he took over from his father in 1990. In 1998 he, along with his family, moved to Kenya to serve as missionaries in rural and community development. While in this role he realized the huge lack of quality potato seed and in 2010, focused his efforts on the development of a combined potato seed project with Kisima Farms in Kenya. Present day, they are still one of the largest producers of certified potato seed in Sub-Saharan Africa.
In 2013, upon returning home to Ireland, he studied the methodology used for trialing new potato varieties and disease management with the Agri-Food & BioScience Institute. In 2015 he formed his own consulting company Moyle Hill Enterprise (MHE) and has worked with organizations such as the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), the International Potato Center (CIP), IPM Potato Group, as well as Vita. Through this work, Derek has had the privilege of assisting potato projects in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Mozambique. He is currently the director of Africa Potato Initiative (API) formally known as the Irish Potato Coalition. API was set up by several NGOs, research institutions and members of the private sector. who felt the need to create linkages and meaningful relationships between science, rural development and the private sector. API played a leading role in developing the Declaration of Dublin and sees its role in implementing the Declaration in Africa.
The WPC community looks forward to working with Doug and Derek as we plan for the 12th World Potato Congress to be held in Adelaide, Australia in June 2024.
Thank you to our Sustaining Partners for their ongoing contributions to the WPC global efforts.
For information on the World Potato Congress Inc.’s Sustaining Partner program and how to become a Sustaining Partner, please visit our website at: www.potatocongress.org or email info@potatocongress.org
We hope to see you in Adelaide, Australia in June 2024 for our next World Potato Congress! Registration is open! Click the logo below:
Latest News
The World Potato Congress Inc. recently held its Annual General Meeting for the 2024-25 year. It was an opportunity to reflect and extend gratitude to the past contributions of outgoing…
[...]Around the world, celebrations are well underway for the 2nd International Day of the Potato, Friday, May 30th. Launched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations…
[...]As the World Potato Congress begins to ramp up planning for the 13th World Potato Congress 2026 in Kenya, we are excited to welcome our newest Platinum Sustaining Partner,…
[...]This international webinar, organized to mark the International Day of the Potato, will explore how this strategic crop contributes to food security, sustainable agriculture, and the resilience of rural communities.…
[...]Old plans made new… Kenya to host the 13th World Potato Congress – October/November 2026 It is with great excitement, and much anticipation that the World Potato Congress Inc. announces…
[...]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…
[...]Rescheduled webinar Presentation Title: The Ecosystem Elements of Potato Sustainability. Date: Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 4:00pm EST (USA/Toronto) Presenter: John Mesko, CEO, Potato Sustainability Alliance (PSA) Register Here! …
[...]Potatoes Australia Ltd is pleased to announce its commitment as a Gold Sustaining Partner of the World Potato Congress Inc. This decision follows the resounding success of the 2024 World…
[...]In the heart of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) of the Philippines, sprawling across 11,000 hectares dedicated to potato production, agriculture is not just a livelihood; it is a way…
[...]The World Potato Congress welcomes The Quebec Potato Board from Canada as a Gold Member of the WPC Sustaining Partner Program. President Peter VanderZaag of the World Potato Congress Inc.…
[...]