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WPC Joins FAO in Celebrating The 3rd International Day of Potato
“Where Potatoes Grow, Livelihoods Flourish” — May 30, 2026
Around the world, celebrations are underway for the 3rd International Day of Potato, Saturday May 30th. The World Potato Congress is proud to stand alongside the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in bringing this global occasion to life — uniting the international potato community from the highlands of the Andes to the farms of Africa, Europe, Asia, and beyond.
“Improved varieties, sustainable farming practices, better storage and stronger market access can help farmers increase productivity while protecting natural resources.”
Yurdi Yasmi, Director, FAO Plant Production and Protection Division
The WPC’s Role in IDP 2026
The World Potato Congress has been a key partner in building momentum for the International Day of Potato since its inauguration. This year, WPC Inc. Director André Devaux co-hosted a webinar alongside FAO’s Makiko Taguchi (Agricultural Officer, Plant Production and Protection Division) to outline global celebrations and encourage participation from WPC’s international network. Watch the recording here →
WPC International Advisor Dinah Borus has received an official invitation from the FAO to present at the main global event in Lesotho, speaking on the topic “The Future is Rooted in Potatoes — Trends in Africa.” Her presentation will spotlight production trends across Africa and highlight how the upcoming World Potato Congress in Kenya will showcase the achievements of the Kenyan potato industry and create global networking opportunities.
The FAO Global Event: Hosted in Lesotho
Lesotho — A Model for Africa’s Potato Future
The main global IDP 2026 event is hosted in the Kingdom of Lesotho, with a complementary event at FAO Headquarters championed by the Government of Peru. Lesotho has selected potato as its Special Agricultural Product under the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative, making it an ideal showcase for value chain development and Africa’s potato ambitions. The event will reflect on the introduction of potatoes to Africa in the 16th century and celebrate current contributions to food security across the continent.
Celebrations Around the Globe
Seminar + Webinar
In Chile, the Chilean Potato Association (ACHIPA) is hosting a free in-person seminar on May 28 at Hotel Sonesta Osorno, bringing together producers, industry, authorities, researchers, and technical advisors to discuss the current situation and projections for potato cultivation — with World Potato Congress and INIA as co-sponsors. In Ecuador, the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIAP) is running a virtual webinar on May 26 in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP), addressing key issues in potato production and sustainability with national and international experts.
South Africa
Market Day Event
Potatoes South Africa is hosting a vibrant Market Day at the Johannesburg Fresh Produce Market, bringing together the full potato value chain. Activities include a live radio broadcast from the market, potato soup served to buyers and stakeholders, and industry exhibitions from across the sector. This celebration reflects the WPC’s commitment to African potato development ahead of the 2026 World Potato Congress in Kenya.
Kenya — Meru County
Exhibition + Field Day
World Potato Congress President Peter VanderZaag will join celebrations unfolding in Meru County, Kenya on May 29th — hosted by the Meru County Government and Kevian Kenya Ltd, a key potato industry partner and member of the WPC 2026 Local Organizing Committee. The Meru County Governor will grace the occasion, with approximately 1,000 participants expected to attend.
The event is designed as a strategic platform for advancing the transformation of Kenya’s potato industry, featuring structured exhibition spaces and demonstration plots where stakeholders will showcase innovations and services across seed and ware potato production, crop protection, mechanization, financing, insurance, processing, and marketing — connecting solution providers directly with farmers and value chain actors. More than 40 potato innovation exhibitors have already confirmed participation, with over 10 serving as planting partners and demonstration plots already established.
This year’s Kenya celebration is streamlined to a one-day event, as most partners will be channelling their energy into the upcoming World Potato Congress 2026 in Naivasha. It will also serve as a key platform for promoting WPC 2026 to the Kenyan potato sector.
Australia
Social Media + Ambassadors
Potatoes Australia is teaming up with @theveggiescientist_ to uncover the science and real story behind every potato — changing how the next generation sees the crop through content on nutrition, versatility, and sustainability. They are also recruiting Potato Ambassadors across the supply chain to share their stories on social media: “Tell the world about your role and why potatoes are not just another vegetable to you.”
Canada
Media Campaign + Giveaways
The Prince Edward Island Potato Board is running a full communications campaign through the week of May 30, including media releases, interviews with government and industry leaders, social media outreach featuring a video on the importance of PEI’s potato industry, online advertising, local radio contests, and potato giveaways. WPC Board Director Greg Donald is among those featured in the campaign.
In other provinces across Canada including New Brunswick, Ontario, and Alberta, organizations are hosting potato giveaways to mark the day.
Europe — Netherlands & Europatat
Political Engagement + Video Series
In the Netherlands, IDP has been actively promoted among politicians and policymakers for three consecutive years. The 2026 focus is a “journey through the world of potatoes” — a mini-symposium on May 28 in The Hague with special attention to newly installed members of parliament. EU potato associations coordinated by Europatat are releasing The European Potato Chain: A Video Journey, showcasing the full supply chain from field to fork, in partnership with EUPPA, StarchEurope, and the European Snacks Association.
United States
Global Recipes + Digital Content
Potatoes USA has produced an international recipe video series featuring potato dishes from cultures around the world — from Italian Gnocchi and Peruvian Lomo Saltado to West African Maafe, Nigerian Potato Fufu, Japanese Korokke, and Irish Colcannon — celebrating the potato’s role in global cuisine. Recipe videos are being shared across social and digital platforms throughout May in support of the International Day of Potato.
How You Can Celebrate
Join the global conversation on May 30 and help ensure that wherever potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish. Here are key FAO resources to support your celebration:
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International Day of Potato Website (FAO)
Up-to-date news, stories, events, videos, and facts about the potato. -
A Guide to the International Day of Potato
Ideas, resources, and practical tips for all stakeholders. Available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. -
Download the official visual identity and communication materials in all six FAO languages.
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Trello Board — Ready-to-Use Social Media Content
Access and publish posts using #InternationalDayofPotato. -
Join farmers, researchers, policymakers, and youth worldwide to exchange knowledge and inspire action at International-Day-of-Potato@Dgroups.org.
Save the Date: World Potato Congress 2026
Join us in Naivasha, Kenya — October 26–30, 2026 — for the 13th World Potato Congress. The IDP celebrations are a perfect preview of what Kenya has to offer as the proud host of the global potato industry’s flagship event. wpc2026kenya.com →
Share your celebration: #InternationalDayofPotato · #WPC2026Kenya
13th WORLD POTATO CONGRESS
KENYA: 26-30 OCTOBER 2026
Visit the WPC 2026 website: wpc2026kenya.com
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