#PotatoIndustry #AgriculturalInnovation #GlobalAgriculture #SustainableFarming #FoodSecurity #RuralRevitalization #GeographicalIndication #ChinaInternationalPotatoExpo #Tengzhou #AgriculturalDevelopment #SmallFarmers #PotatoExports #InternationalCollaboration
In the ever-evolving landscape of global agriculture, the humble potato stands as a vital and ubiquitous crop. With its wide distribution and rich nutritional value, the potato plays a crucial role, serving as a staple for nearly one-third of the world’s population. Moreover, its remarkable 15-year shelf life has made it a strategic reserve for several nations, a cornerstone in ensuring food security worldwide. Recognizing its significance, the United Nations designated 2008 as the International Year of Potato, emphasizing its role in global poverty alleviation, hunger eradication, and food security efforts.
In the context of China’s agricultural pursuits guided by the concept of “big food,” the potato has gained strategic importance. It has become a linchpin for consolidating and expanding the achievements in poverty alleviation, advancing rural revitalization, and promoting high-quality agricultural development. Presently, China’s potato cultivation covers approximately 70 million acres, yielding nearly 90 million tons, accounting for a quarter of the world’s production. Recent data from Xinhua Finance and Economics Research Center, as of September 2023, indicates that China’s potato industry continues to evolve, especially with the expansion of processed potato exports, accelerating the transformation and upgrading of the domestic potato industry.
Against this backdrop, the esteemed city of Tengzhou, renowned as the “Hometown of Chinese Potatoes,” is set to host the grand 13th China International Potato Expo. This three-day event, scheduled to commence on October 23rd, will be the largest field potato industry exhibition in Asia, providing a platform for global potato industry peers. The expo, co-organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Agricultural Trade Promotion Center and the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Agricultural Industry Branch, in conjunction with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Shandong Province and the People’s Government of Zaozhuang City, with the People’s Government of Tengzhou City undertaking the hosting responsibilities, promises a fruitful exchange of ideas and innovations.
Tengzhou, a city steeped in history and cultural richness, has harnessed its natural advantages to nurture a robust potato industry over the past century. With a stable planting area of 700,000 acres and a total yield exceeding 2.3 million tons, Tengzhou has become a leader in the potato industry. The city has fostered over 200 professional large-scale farms covering more than 500 acres and supported over 800 family farms and professional large-scale farms covering over 50 acres. With a total output value nearing 10 billion yuan, the average per-acre income surpasses 8,000 yuan, illuminating the path for regional rural revitalization and shared prosperity.
Tengzhou’s potatoes have become a hallmark of local agricultural products, receiving national geographical indication certification and being listed among China’s top 100 geographical indications. Notably, they have been selected as designated agricultural products for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, further solidifying their position as China’s premier culinary potatoes.
The expo, centered around the themes of “big food, big industry, big platform,” will host diplomats, association enterprises, and professional visitors from 18 countries, along with hundreds of companies from 19 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions. Additionally, it will feature lively discussions and knowledge sharing among hundreds of experts, scholars, and distinguished guests from institutions such as the International Potato Center, the World Potato Congress, and the National Potato Industry Technology Innovation Alliance. These discussions will focus on crucial topics like technological empowerment of the industry, development and upgrading directions, and innovative cooperation models, fostering an atmosphere of open collaboration and mutual growth.
As the countdown to the 13th China International Potato Expo begins, Tengzhou eagerly anticipates welcoming stakeholders from around the globe. In the fields of Tengzhou, amid the rustle of potato leaves, let us come together to chart the future of the potato industry, embracing both the small tubers and the grand possibilities they hold.
The 13th China International Potato Expo in Tengzhou serves as a testament to the global significance of the potato industry. As we gather to explore innovations, share expertise, and foster collaborations, we are shaping the future of agriculture. The event not only celebrates the potato’s past but also propels it into a sustainable and prosperous future. Together, we are sowing the seeds of progress, ensuring food security, and creating a resilient agricultural landscape for generations to come.
