Potatoes are increasingly being seen as a possible solution for the recent food crisis that is hitting many developing countries. As grain prices continue to rise, scientists and governments are encouraging the cultivation of potato crops to steady the shaky food supply problem.
In an article from the New York Times, it states: “Production in China rose 50 percent from 2005 to 2007, and the government has called potatoes “a way out of poverty.” In Peru, where potatoes are traditionally part of the highland diet, President Alan García has led a campaign to promote potato eating in cities. Schools, prisons and army canteens are serving papapan, bread made with potatoes, helping to increase potato consumption by 20 percent increase this year”
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The World Potato Day focussed on the importance and the signiifcance of potato.However ,it is pertinent to point out here that horicultural crops as a whole can provide the much needed food and nutritional security that has been debated and discussed upon in many fora.They can play a pivotal role in ushering in the next revolution.
By: Dr T V Ananthanarayanan on October 30, 2008
at 7:37 am