The Peruvian State’s official delegation, headed by Peru's Ambassador to China Juan Carlos Capuñay, received the credentials to organize the 10th World Potato Congress in Cusco in 2018, the Agriculture and Irrigation Ministry announced.
While addressing attendees, the Ambassador mentioned the relevance of both, potato for mankind and our country’s great ecological diversity.
Peru’s great potential to host of the Conference on Climate Change (COP 20), the Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund, and the APEC Forum were addressed also by the diplomat.
In this framework, the Peruvian delegation -which featured two youngsters, who wore traditional Palla de Corongo costumes- received the Congress flag.
The gathering, organized by the World Potato Congress, aims at supporting potato cropping and development across the world. For the first time, the event will be held in Latin America gathering over 1,000 people including scientists, entrepreneurs and producers.
A committee led by the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) and supported by FAO, Peruvian Engineering Association (CIP) and the La Molina Agrarian University will be in charge of organizing the event.
Relevance
Agriculture Minister Juan Manuel Benites highlighted the appointment of Peru to become the host of this largest international potato research event. Thus, Cusco City will welcome the most renowned experts in the field.
According to the head of the Ministry, Peru is the first potato producing country in Latin America (4.5 million tonnes). Currently, 730,000 producers, who reside in Andean areas, grow the plant.
Additionally, the per-capita consumption has increased from 65kg/person to 85 kg/person, he added.
(END) JCC/JCC/RGR