Overview of the Potato

Far from the simple bag of potatoes found in the average supermarket, the potato is becoming more and more important as a source of food and livelihoods for people in the developing countries. As production of maize, rice and wheat has slowed, the amount of potatoes planted in developing countries has increased, especially in Asia. more

 

History of the potato

Spanish explorers brought the potato to Europe in the 16th century, originally as a botanical curiosity, but by the 19th century it had spread throughout the continent, providing cheap food for the workers. more

Potato facts

A single medium-sized potato contains about half the daily adult requirement of vitamin C. Other staples such as rice and wheat have none. more

The Treasure of the Andes

For ancient Andean civilizations, the potato represented the very roots of existence. The online version of the book "The Potato: Treasure of the Andes", describes all aspects of this marvellous tuber. more

Potato Facts: Production, Use, Consumption and Trade

Recent information, trends and statistics on potato production, use, consumption and trade. more

Conserving the genetic heritage of the potato

The information coded in the genes of the thousands of varieties of potatoes that exist is essential to global food security. more

Pests and diseases

The potato has a whole host of insect pests and fungal bacterial and viral diseases that attack it. Find out what CIP is doing to control and combat them. more

The World Potato Atlas

The World Potato Atlas is a unique electronic resource detailing the distribution and growth patterns of the potato in countries throughout the world. more

Other websites

Links to other potato sites. more