Irish Potato Coalition Striving to promote the Irish potato as an invaluable crop for food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Why Potatoes?

 

Our Vision

Our goal is to transform the livelihoods, food and nutrition security and resilience of one million rural poor households in sub-Saharan Africa. This will be achieved through the increased production, profitability and sustainability of potato value chains, with a particular focus on women and vulnerable groups. Read More...

Why Potatoes?

Although it has not featured prominently in the debate on food security, the potato is one of the most important foods in the world! Several million people across East Africa could be growing potatoes. Here's some more information on the humble spud:

Highly Nutritious

A medium potato has 110 calories and provides complex carbohydrates, amino acids and anti-oxidants. A 150 gram potato provides 18% of the recommended daily value (DV) of potassium. Potatoes are also an excellent source of fibre (8% DV) vitamin C (45%), vitamin B6 (10%) and iron (6%).

Adaptable and Efficient

Potatoes are highly nutritious and adaptable to climate change. They use less water per nutritional output than all other major food sources and can be grown across Africa. The potato provides more food per unit area than any other major staple crop – three to five times that of wheat or rice.

A Cash Crop

Due to its high bulk and seeding requirement, potatoes are not easily traded internationally – so they are less vulnerable to the price volatility of international markets than cereals. Farmers can store their harvested potato for most of the year – knowing they can make selling decisions based on their own needs, not market forces.

Supporting Families

Potatoes have potential to double or treble current yields using quality approved seed, improved varieties and more effective farm practices. Greater yields = increased household incomes and a surplus for the wider market. Rural women provide most of the labour in potato production making potatoes a very ‘gender sensitive’ crop.