Centro Internacional de la Papa International Potato Center
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Lima will host a Latin American science and technology planning workshop for research on potato improvement and dissemination

The Network will specifically target poor Latin American potato farmers

Representatives from 10 Latin American countries will meet in Lima from January 15th - 18th to constitute the Latin American Innovation Network for Potato Improvement and Dissemination. The meeting will facilitate and promote effective collaborations between researchers and other regional actors who work on potato improvement and technological innovation.

“The Network aims to develop and exchange advanced genetic materials, procedures and practices, information, replicable strategies for dissemination and integrate key actors who define supply and the demand for new potato varieties with durable resistance, high yields and superior quality traits” says Stef De Haan, scientist at the International Potato Center (CIP) and Coordinator of the Network.

CIP will provide institutional support to the Network and assist the tasks of the Steering Committee which will be elected during the meeting.

The Network will work on the development, exchange and evaluation of potato genetic material from the different countries; dissemination and promotion of new varieties; strengthening of seed systems; enhancement of information and communication systems, and continuous institutional learning toward effective and sustainable working strategies.

The Network will specifically target poor Latin American potato farmers in order to improve their incomes and reduce production costs through early access to new robust potato varieties and production technologies.

Network members will promote integrative and participatory approaches involving users of new varieties and technologies in the co-development and evaluation, told De Haan. This will be both a physical and virtual network, he added.

The creation of this network has been possible with financial support from the National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA Spain) and the Regional Fund of Agricultural Technology (FONTAGRO). Representatives of national research institutes, NGOs, processing companies, seed producers, and organized farmers from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela will participate in the meeting at CIP headquarters, Lima.

With this event CIP starts a series of activities within the framework of the International Year of the Potato.