China to boost potato as a staple food

A strategic symposium on potato was held in Beijing on Jan. 6, 2015. The symposium was jointly organized by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), National Consultation Committee on Food and Nutrition and China National Seed Association.

The theme of the symposium is utilizing potato as a staple food and its relevance on national food security. The participants discussed its strategic significance, development roadmap, targets and pathways.

Vice Agriculture Minister Yu Xinrong addressed the audience and pointed out that the utilization of potato as another staple food after rice, wheat and corn was an important approach to implement the guidance of the central authority to promote agricultural restructuring, transformation and sustainable development. It also represented our efforts to ensure food security and increase farmers’ income. We shall advocate the concept consumption based on nutrition value and production based on consumption demand. Multiple approaches shall be adopted to promote the coordinated development of the potato industry and cereal crops production by relying on technology innovation, in a bid to better accommodate the new requirements of consumers on nutritious and healthy food.

The symposium agreed that potato is an ideal staple food. Responding to the trend to promote the utilization of potato can help improve the dietary structure and satisfy the expectation of the general public to enhance their physical well-being. It will create an opportunity for us to tap its production potentials, and blaze a new trail to ensure national food security. It will also help reduce the pressure on resources and environment, and achieve sustainable agricultural development.

The symposium explained that the utilization of potato as a staple food means processing potato into steamed bread, noodles and other staples that the Chinese are accustomed to, thus facilitating the conversion of potato from raw material to a series of manufactured products and turning potato into the fourth staple food in China.

It is expected that within a few years, a significant progress shall be registered in increasing its cultivation acreage, unit yield, total production and utilization rate as staple food, with improved varieties, scale production, mechanized operation, and industrial integration. Meanwhile, we shall keep in mind the following principles: the production of potato shall not compete with wheat, rice and corn for land and water resources; we shall consider both the staple use and comprehensive utilization, combine the guidance of the government and the dominant role of the market, and coordinate the overall promotion and prioritized breakthroughs. As experts pointed out, the utilization of potato as a staple food is a complex endeavor, which involves multiple links covering research, production, processing, marketing and consumption. Government support needs to be enhanced to develop desired varieties. A well thought-out development plan is required to facilitate relevant research, technology improvement and public communication, so that potato can become a true staple on the dinner table.

The symposium was co-chaired by Mr. Chen Mengshan, Secretary of the Leading Party Group of CAAS and Mr. Bi Meijia, MOA Chief Economist, and well attended by senior officials from relevant agencies and competent authorities at the national and provincial levels, and experts in potato breeding, cultivation, processing and nutrition.