Sustainable Potato Production - Guidelines for - FAO.org

Research for development agendaAccelerated and sustainabledevelopment of the potato subsectorin developing countries requiresincreases in the productivity,profitability and sustainability of potatobasedfarming systems. This implies a newand vigorous research for developmentagenda.The way forward for potato research indeveloping countries will include a numberof priority areas. First, the lack of adequatequantities of clean seed is a majorbottleneck to improved productivity.Promising results have been obtainedthrough extension efforts that promote theuse of “positive selection” and small-scaleseed plots. Other research work aimed atimproving the quality of farmers’ seedthrough novel technologies such asaeroponic production of clean seed tubershas yielded positive results. Strongconsideration should be given to fosteringpublic-private sector partnerships as astrategy for getting potato seed systemsmoving in developing countries. Alsorecommended are ex-ante assessments ofthe potential return on investments bycalculating the impact of new adaptedvarieties and cleaner seed.In many countries, investments areneeded in laboratories for the diagnosis ofpotato diseases, for measuring mineralconcentrations in soils, manure andfertilizers, and for determining thecomposition and concentration of activecompounds in herbicides, pesticides,fungicides and nematicides.Legislation is needed in many countriesto set quality standards for seed and tointroduce or enforce mechanisms forcertification through accredited laboratories.Legislation may also be needed to protectpotato breeders’ rights.The potential effects of climate changepose a threat to the levels and stability ofpotato yields. Heat and drought resistanceshould be considered in breedingprogrammes along with other key traitssuch as late-blight resistance, virusresistance, earliness and culinary qualities.Hence, research needs to provide a broaderrange of genetic material that meets sitespecificcriteria, is adaptable to changingenvironments, and meets new demandsfrom emerging markets for processed foodproducts, non-food ingredients and starchfor industry. The growing demand for potatowith specific characteristics for a particularprocessed product must be taken intoconsideration, but should only be pursuedafter a careful analysis of market prospects.The potato subsector faces a growingchallenge from more aggressive strains oflate blight and many developing countrieshave a limited capacity to control the diseasethrough fungicide application. Continuedresearch on resistance breeding andintegrated management strategies isessential, while support is needed for scalingup LB control technologies andmethodologies developed by CIP.It is unlikely that resistance to latentbacterial wilt infection will be availablethrough conventional breeding in the near71IMPLICATIONSFOR POLICYAND RESEARCH