23 June 2023
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Choice of venue for world potato congress will present opportunity for African growth says bid committee.
HOLDING the next World Potato Congress in Nairobi will be a major step towards ending extreme poverty in Africa, it has been claimed.
In a recent statement, the bid committee led by the National Potato Council of Kenya and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, announced: “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 World Potato Congress 2026 has the proposed theme being “Developing Global Potato Partnerships for Enhanced Food Systems, Food Security and International Trade” and is expected to draw potato industry colleagues and partners from all over the world.
This will be the first time the biennial business event has been held in sub-Sahara Africa.
The successful bid was supported by 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.
Peter VanderZaag, President of the World Potato Congress Inc. stated “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.”
