Agricultural Development and Food Security

The two-day event brought together experts from business, development cooperation, associations and civil society. The focus was on key questions, such as how the potential of the potato might be harnessed in the fight against malnutrition. The potato is second only to the bean as “the best vegetable on earth in terms of nutritional density,” according to Professor Hans Konrad Biesalski from the University of Hohenheim.

So what role does the potato play in agriculture and food security in Africa? This was the question addressed by Dr Berga Lemaga from the Agricultural Transformation Agency. He believes that intensified potato farming truly does increase food security. In Kenya, for example, the tuber is already the second most important edible plant, and in fact even the most important cash crop for that country’s highland region.

The International Potato Centre (CIP) and K+S Kali GmbH presented their innovative partnership. Two years ago, they agreed to a joint venture in the field of plant nutrition. The GIZ brokered the arrangement. CIP’s Director General, Pamela Anderson, emphasised the innovative nature of the collaboration along with K+S KALI’s dedication to the project, noting: “The thing usually missing in Africa is the private sector.” The project’s focus is on preserving soil fertility, which is particularly crucial for successful potato cultivation.

The intensified cultivation and consumption of potatoes is one possible approach to improving global food security. Today the tuber is the world’s fourth most important staple food. Experts believe that increasing the number of small-scale potato farms in Africa could significantly improve food security and generate more income.