Why Potatoes Could Be Humanity’s First Crop on Mars – Insights from NASA-Backed Research

If humanity ever establishes a settlement on Mars, what crop would be planted first? Fans of The Martian might recall astronaut Mark Watney surviving on potatoes, but this scenario is not merely science fiction—real scientists have been testing its feasibility. In 2016, the International Potato Center (CIP), with support from NASA, conducted a groundbreaking experiment to determine whether potatoes could grow under Martian-like conditions. Rather than traveling to the Red Planet, researchers chose the Peruvian desert—a region with soil remarkably similar to that of Mars, often dubbed “Earth’s Mars.” There, they recreated Martian atmospheric pressure, air composition, and environmental conditions in controlled growth chambers and planted several potato varieties. The results were astonishing: certain varieties actually sprouted and began to grow, demonstrating that with proper soil conditioning, water, temperature, and air pressure regulation, potatoes could indeed be cultivated on Mars. The researchers concluded that, given the right conditions, growing potatoes on the Red Planet is a realistic possibility.

But why potatoes over countless other crops? The answer is surprisingly practical. In space, where every square meter and drop of water is precious, a crop that maximizes caloric output per unit area is essential—and potatoes excel in this regard. Nutritionally, they are rich in carbohydrates for efficient energy supply, contain vitamin C, potassium, and other beneficial nutrients, and can be stored for relatively long periods after harvest. Historically, potatoes have served as a lifeline during wars and famines, proving their resilience and ability to sustain populations when other food sources failed. Should humanity ever build a city on Mars, it is highly likely that potatoes will be among the first plants to be cultivated—making our extraterrestrial future perhaps more familiar than we imagine.