For poor potato farmers in developing countries, improving yields is essential to their ability to achieve economic independence and food security. While average potato yields in North America and Western Europe often reach 40 metric tons per hectare, yields in developing countries are usually below 20 metric tons per hectare—a persistent and sizable yield gap.

Environmental constraints limit the potential in many areas, but much of this yield gap can be closed through improved technology. From among the many factors contributing to such yield deficit, researchers place the highest priority on biotic stresses caused by pests and diseases and on the limited capability of existing potato varieties to resist these pests and diseases.

GOALS. Producing and disseminating potato production technologies that can reduce yield gap and improve productivity is the focus of this CIP research effort. The project is thematically and philosophically centered on utilizing seed potatoes—either clonal or true seed (TPS)—as a delivery mechanism for new technologies. Because seed transmits pests and diseases, improving production and management of seed potatoes is key to any effort aimed at improving potato productivity. The project focuses on the introduction of new genetic materials and the reduction of constraints caused by potato viruses and bacterial wilt, seeking to reduce their importance. Following a logical research and dissemination sequence, this dynamic project centers on:

• Identification of constraints and opportunities. This subproject aims at identifying both constraints and opportunities and passing this critical information on to stakeholders. Activities include diagnostic visits, problem-definition studies such as documenting the structure of informal seed systems in a given region or country, disease surveys, and producing baseline information such as seed degeneration rates.
• Development of component technologies. By focusing on the basic work of component technology development, this subproject aims to work on potato virus and virus-like disease detec-tion, bacterial wilt detection, components of integrated management of these diseases, studies on TPS physiology, and standard evaluation trials of new potato breeding lines. With the exception of late blight, other diseases will be included as determined by a continual updating of CIP research priorities.
• Integration of component technologies. This subproject tests and retests the practicality of recommendations made by CIP researchers and their collaborators on practices and technologies. Testing is undertaken in national program laboratories and greenhouses and in farmers’ fields. Research methods used in this subproject can range from formal reductionist methods in tightly controlled trials to participatory research with farmer groups.
• Putting research results into practice. The increasing importance being placed on the technological underpinnings of agricultural development can pose significant difficulties for development agencies attempting to utilize new technological advances. Devising the most effective means of linking CGIAR research with the development programs of countries has been identified as a key challenge for its Future Harvest Center consortium. This subproject provides the necessary institutional space through which CIP can encounter and collaborate with its partners in development efforts where understanding and utilizing agricultural technology is an important factor.

CIP researchers will seek opportunities to concentrate efforts in specific country programs to relieve specific constraints. Finally, researchers will seek to position CIP for agile response to the social and natural disasters that cause disruption to food systems.

IMPACT. This project focuses on closing the yield gap. Thus, the principal impact of this project will be felt on the farm, where improved potato yields can translate into income growth, greater food security, and more family work opportunities. The growth in productivity will derive from improved potato varieties with greater yield potential and improved resistance to pests and diseases, greater use of quality seed potatoes and a deeper understanding of integrated mangement of pests and diseases.

The project also provides methods of efficient testing for important diseases. This will improve the productivity of national agricultural research services through increased capacity to accurately test for disease. Finally, because improved productivity also implies lower production costs, another anticipated dividend of the project is lower costs to consumers of potatoes.

Improved potato production technologies are helping farmers realize this crop’s enormous potential.

The importance of potato production in developing countries is expected to continue its upward trend over the coming years.

For more information, please contact Charles Crissman, SSA Regional Leader, Regional Office Kenya, PO Box 25171, Nairobi, Kenya 00603, or at c.crissman@cgiar.org