Peru remains the leading potato producer in Latin America, with a production volume of 6 million metric tons recorded last year, and that broadly covers the needs of the almost 33 million inhabitants in the country, according to the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri).
Despite the problems caused by climatic phenomena (rain, floods, frost, among others), the harvested area of potatoes reaches 330,790 hectares of crops, which has allowed Peru to be ratified as a continental leader, surpassing Mexico, Colombia, Chile , Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Bolivia, among others.
Potatoes are the fourth most grown food in the world only after wheat, corn and rice; They are produced in more than 125 countries around the planet.
In our country, potato cultivation is produced by 711,313 families distributed in 19 regions, the departments with the highest production being Puno, Huánuco, Cusco, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Junín, among others. Tuber production is concentrated 90% in the mountains, highlighting the group of native potatoes.
Furthermore, potato cultivation has become a notable driver of the regional and local economy, especially in the high Andean areas, in which it has generated more than 27 million days of work last year alone, providing greater income to the communities. peasant families. There are more than 3 thousand varieties of potatoes in the country.
Last year, the production of more than 6 million tons of the tuber was recorded in 19 regions
High performance
Midagri reported that potatoes are planted from 200 meters above sea level, but native potatoes (colorful tubers) are grown above 3,000 to 4,200 meters above sea level, where no other crop thrives and generates high returns for small rural producers.Likewise, an average potato yield of 17.2 tons per hectare is highlighted, which has led to the creation of more than 110 thousand permanent jobs, despite the health emergency, which has made it possible for the tuber to be within the reach of almost 33 million consumers.
In 2022, the export of by-products based on Peruvian potatoes reached 6,530 tons worth US$ 8 million.Currently, the Peruvian potato has been transformed to provide it with added value, through processed native potato products such as colored pulp chips, chopped potatoes for chicken shops and restaurants, vodkas, medicinal alcohol, puree, baking products. , among others.
National Day
As is known, through Ministerial Resolution No. 009-2005-AG, May 30 is declared as Peru “National Potato Day”, with the purpose of highlighting the historical, economic, productive, food and nutritional importance of this Andean tuber. of massive use at the national level, coming primarily from family farming.“National Potato Day” was instituted by the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) since 2005, and whose activities are promoted and organized by the General Directorate of Agricultural Development and Agroecology, with the support of the main organizations. of producers.
Congress enacted Law No. 31920, which aims to promote and encourage agroindustrial activity related to potato production in Peru.The law seeks to stimulate the supply of various potato products for different markets, as well as promote their export, which would generate greater profitability for potato producers in the country.
he Ministry of Agrarian Development and Irrigation (Midagri) will provide technical assistance to farmers to improve production quality, modernization, transformation processes and the identification of markets and financing options. These activities will be carried out through corresponding programs, projects or general directorates.
Likewise, Midagri, through the National Agrarian Health Service of Peru (Senasa), will implement a technical assistance and support program to promote the use of certified seeds in potato cultivation. Producers can organize into associations for this purpose.The State will promote the consumption of the Peruvian potato through mass dissemination campaigns, including its different varieties, presentations and derivatives, for its commercialization in national and international markets.
In addition, the identification of markets for the supply of industrialization of potato cultivation will be encouraged.To promote the industrialization of potatoes, both public and private financing programs will be promoted to promote the industrialization of potatoes, in collaboration with regional and local governments.
It should be noted that the implementation of this law will be financed with the resources allocated in the institutional budget of the competent bodies involved and will not require additional resources from the public treasury.The regulations will come into force the day after the publication of its regulations in the Official Gazette El Peruano, which is expected to be approved by the Executive Branch within a period of one hundred and twenty calendar days from its publication.
