4 days ago
Teagasc celebrates International Potato Day at Bloom
The world is celebrating International Potato Day today, Friday, May 30, to recognise the crop's critical role in global food security.
In December 2023, the United Nations General Assembly officially proclaimed May 30 as International Potato Day.
The initial momentum for the declaration was sparked during the World Potato Congress, in Dublin in May 2022.
The conference highlighted the importance of the potato on an international stage.
As the third most important food crop worldwide, the potato is gaining even more relevance, especially in developing countries, where it plays a key role in sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
To mark the very first International Potato Day, Teagasc potato breeder, Dr. Denis Griffin will give a special talk at the joint Teagasc and Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) stand at Bloom on Friday, May 30.
Dr. Griffin will talk about the potato crop's global significance and Ireland's long history with the crop.
He will also cover the cutting-edge research being conducted in Ireland to aid sustainability, and how Irish science supports the sector both domestically and globally.
He will discuss the Teagasc potato group breeding programme at the Teagasc crops research department in Oak Park, Co. Carlow and the traits being pursued to improve future crops.
Two new potato varieties, Buster and Fidelity, recently released by the breeding programme will also be discussed.
International Potato Day
In other news, last week, May 22, Kate Curran from Kilmagemogue, Portlaw, Co. Waterford was named the winner of the Teagasc / FBD Student of the Year 2024 award.
The awards were presented to the top graduates of the Teagasc level 6 agriculture, horticulture, equine, and forestry training programmes in 2024 by Teagasc chairperson, Liam Herlihy in Dublin.
Curran completed the Level 6 Specific Purpose Certificate in Farming (Distance Education) at the Teagasc Kildalton College in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny.
In addition to winning the overall award, Curran was also successful in the Part-Time and Distance Education category award.
