21 October 2021
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Potato Days Live urge the sector to make sustainable choices
HYBRID breeding, the transformation of food systems and the Netherlands as breeding ground for seed potatoes will be themes of a forthcoming broadcast examining how the potato sector can significantly contribute to a sustainable food supply worldwide.
HZPC will broadcast thea programme on November 3rd, during Potato Days 2021 Live, with participants from the international potato world joining online from 90 countries.
The future of seed potato cultivation starts by posing some urgent questions: How do we feed the rapidly growing world population? And how can we do so in a responsible and sustainable way in our sector? These are the subjects that HZPC will discuss with its partners during Potato Days. This will take place as part of an interactive live programme with panel guests and speakers, broadcasted from HZPC's research facility in Metslawier in the north of the Netherlands.
The aim is to inform and inspire one another on a journey into the future. On the path to better, more sustainable varieties and innovative solutions. In which there is room for dialogue. After all, just how sustainable is shipping increasing quantities of seed potatoes from the fertile Dutch delta soils to distant parts of the world, and are we even reaching all the potato growers in the world? Who knows, exporting genetics and expertise may soon become more important than exporting tons of seed potatoes. With guests like Peter Berghuis (LTO), Romain Cools (World Potato Congress) and Jasper Spikker (Agriterra), both the value of local cultivation and the role of the Netherlands as a breeding ground for healthy seed potatoes will be discussed.
Special attention will be paid to hybrid breeding during Potato Days. It's felt this method helps make faster and more sustainable progress within the package of varieties. The effect of hybrid potatoes in the food industry will also be discussed, while a chef will cook live with the hybrid potatoes during the show.
Martin Kropff (CGIAR) has been invited as keynote speaker. He will outline the importance of transforming our food systems and explain the potential role of the potato.
For full details of this and other forthcoming events, click here.
