By East African Gazette
In order to promote the nutritional and economic benefits of potatoes and ensure their inclusion in local diets, Uganda is taking steps to raise awareness within communities.
The United Nations General Assembly recognized the significance of potatoes in addressing food security and nutrition challenges by designating May 30, 2024, as International Potato Day.
The annual event serves as a platform to emphasize the importance of potatoes as one of the top five staple food items worldwide.
This marks the initial observance under theme: “Harvesting Diversity, Feeding Hope.”
The focus is on the wide range of choices offered by more than 5,000 enhanced types of the crop.
These types are designed to meet the needs of different production systems, culinary tastes, and industrial uses.
This variety is important in the current uncertain times, as numerous agricultural and food systems are under threat globally.
The Minister for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Frank Tumwebaze, emphasized the significance of potato cultivation in Uganda’s agricultural sector and economy.
In his speech delivered by Dr. Paul Mwambu, the Commissioner for Crops Resources and Certification, at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC), he highlighted that the nation produces around 1.8 million metric tons of potatoes annually.
Additionally, Mwambu disclosed that Uganda exports 55,412 metric tons of potatoes to neighboring countries, while importing 30,501 metric tons into the country.
The minister emphasized the importance of sweet potato as the third most important crop in Uganda, after cassava and bananas.
He also highlighted its significance as the main crop around Lake Victoria.
He mentioned that the Government of Uganda, in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) and other key stakeholders such as the International Potato Centre (CIP), have developed various sweet potato and potato varieties that are resistant to pests and diseases, high-yielding, nutritious, and suitable for agro-processing.
He also mentioned that these crops are particularly valuable for urban populations, especially during times of scarcity or before harvest.
Potato farming also plays a vital role in Uganda, with the nation ranking as the third largest potato producer in East Africa with a production of 162,151 metric tons, positioning Uganda to the increasing demand for processed potato products.
The government has undertaken initiatives to elevate the quality of potatoes, with a focus on enhancing the capabilities of seed producers, improving storage facilities, and refining marketing strategies to mitigate market price volatility.
Tumwebaze revealed that Uganda will be hosting the 13th African Potato Association’s (APA) Conference next year between May 25th and 30th 2024. Uganda is currently holding duo leadership for the APA as President and Vice President.
Dr. Antonio Querido, the Country representative of the Food Agricultural Organisation (FAO), emphasized the significance of Potato Day in addressing hunger within communities. He highlighted the immense potential of potatoes and their contribution towards achieving food security.
Dr. Querido mentioned that this is an awareness campaign that primarily focuses on developing countries and acknowledging the long history of potato cultivation spanning over eight centuries.
Furthermore, he expressed gratitude towards NARO for their efforts in ensuring that potatoes are an integral part of our diet and food system.
Dr. Yona Baguma, the Director General-NARO and President of the Africa Potato Association, expressed his belief that the conference will offer valuable insights and learning opportunities.
He emphasized that potatoes are becoming increasingly important in global food systems and predicted that they will play a dominant role in the future.
Baguma further highlighted that the conference will serve as a platform to introduce necessary improvements in sweet potato and potato production in Africa, utilizing new knowledge, tools, and technology.
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