06 June 2023
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World Potato Congress 2026 to be held in Nairobi.
FOR the first time ever, the World Potato Congress is to be held in sub-Sahara Africa.
Nairobi in Kenya will be the venue for the 2026 event whose theme will be 'Developing Global Potato Partnerships for Enhanced Food Systems, Food Security and International Trade'.
The biennial event attracts members of the potato industry from all over the world. The National Potato Council of Kenya and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, made the bid to have it staged in Kenya, with the support of many public and private sector partners including the International Potato Centre, SSA (CIP), Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, KenInvest, Pest Control Product Board, Kevian Kenya Ltd, and Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), Bayer East Africa and Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable agriculture.
“Holding the Congress in Kenya will contribute towards ending extreme poverty in all forms in Africa. Besides contributing towards ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, the congress will provide valuable educational opportunities in promoting sustainable agriculture. It will provide opportunity for inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all, especially for youths and women in the sector,” the bid statement announced.
Peter VanderZaag, President of the World Potato Congress Inc said: “I am excited that Kenya will host the 13th World Potato Congress in 2026. Kenya is centrally located and a leader in both potato research and development in East Africa. I am confident that this congress will increase the profile and capacity for the potato value chain in this region as well as provide an opportunity for networking, investment, and trade relationships across the entire potato sector.”
