Above countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, Peru leads the continental ranking of the main producers of the nutritious tuber of Andean origin that will be celebrated National potato day on May 30, 2023. In honor of the various potato varieties, the penultimate day of the fifth month of the year was established as the anniversary that seeks to revalue its cultivation, genetic wealth and reinforce the identity of the food produced by more than 700 thousand families. Learn about the history of National Potato Day , why that date was chosen, and since when it has been commemorated throughout the nation.
The traditional and ancient Andean tuber, very rich in nutrients and vitamins, is honored and valued at the end of the fifth month of the year to highlight its historical, economic, and nutritional importance.
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WHO INSTITUTED NATIONAL POTATO DAY AND SINCE WHEN IS IT CELEBRATED AS A HOLIDAY IN PERU EVERY MAY 30?
Coming from the scientific name Solanum tuberosum, the potato , a tuber native to Peru, and whose age exceeds more than 7 thousand years, is classified into modern and native varieties, and currently in supply centers, markets and stores, you can find it commercially as huayro, and huamantanga, among others, at S/2.80 per kilo.
19 years ago , the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (MIDAGRI) decided to give symbolic and commemorative value to the composition of the Andean tuber that feeds almost 33 million Peruvians, and thereby highlight its historical, economic, productive, nutritional and nutritional status through the declaration of an anniversary.
Also with the objective of promoting greater consumption, National Potato Day was officially established in February 2005 thanks to Ministerial Resolution No. 009 adopted by MIDRAGRI , coordinated with agricultural representatives and endorsed by the government of Peru.
Starting on May 30 of that year, the anniversary began to be commemorated in honor of the fourth most cultivated food in the world after wheat, corn and rice, and the date in question was chosen in relation to the harvest season produced between the months of April, May and June regularly.
Within the framework of National Potato Day , and according to information and data provided by the unique digital platform of the Peruvian State through MIDAGRI , the mountains of Peru offer the highest percentage of cultivation of this tuber with a total of 711,313 families. production companies distributed in 19 regions, and departments such as Puno, Huánuco, Cusco, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, and Junín.
Likewise, the native potato , which is also produced in more than 125 countries in the world, due to its protein characteristics, demonstrates its versatility and added value in the transformation that emerges from the products processed in baking, colored pulp chips, pieces for chicken shops and restaurants, vodkas, medicinal alcohol, puree, snacks and many more.
It should be noted that the ancient Andean tuber is highly nutritious, and even its peel offers a high antioxidant power.
WHAT ARE THE NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF THE POTATO AND HOW MUCH DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO PERU ECONOMICALLY? BENEFITS AND FEATURES
The celebration of National Potato Day this Tuesday, May 30 , 2023 will be a good occasion to once again highlight each of the benefits, properties and economic importance that arise from its marketing, production and sale.
Since the first traces of potatoes were found during excavations carried out near the town of Chilca in 1976, this tuber began to occupy an important place in the agricultural economy of Peru with a crop that currently contributes 13% to the Gross Product. Internal (GDP).
Along with rice, the potato is one of the most produced and important foods at the national level, and at the same time provides great benefits for the body.
Vitamin C, 35% dry matter, 23 mg of iron, 89 kilos of calories, its easy digestibility, and antioxidant power, are some of the properties that impact people’s well-being, and facilitate the prevention of cancerous and degenerative diseases. , cleanse the body of toxins, strengthen the skin and protect against a heart attack.
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