International Year of the Potato

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The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations, noting that the potato is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population, and affirming the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty.[1] Food and Agriculture Organization is invited to facilitate its implementation.

The corresponding resolution adopted on 25 November 2005 by the Food and Agriculture Organization, which is to facilitate the implementation of the year, affirmed "the need to revive public awareness of the relationship that exists between poverty, food security, malnutrition and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger."

This is one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 is shared with the International Year of Sanitation.

It is hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice (2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources.

2008 has also been designated the National Year of the Potato in Peru.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ United Nations General Assembly Resolution 191 session 60 International Year of the Potato, 2008 page 1 on 22 December 2005
  2. ^ United Nations General Assembly Verbatim Report meeting 15 session 62 page 32, Mr. Gutiérrez Reinel Peru on 2 October 2007 (retrieved 2007-11-18)

[edit] External links