International Day of Potato 2026: Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish
FAO celebrates the third observance of the International Day of Potato 2026
Hybrid Event, 29/05/2026
The third observance of the International Day of Potato, on 30 May 2026, under the theme Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish emphasizes the role of potatoes in strengthening livelihoods for farmers and value chain actors from the highlands of the Andes to Africa, Europe, Asia and beyond. By advancing potato farming and value chain development, the crop contributes to poverty reduction, resilience and more inclusive and sustainable agrifood systems.
Join us on Friday, 29 May 2026 (as 30 May falls on a Saturday), for the main global event hosted in the Kingdom of Lesotho and a complementary event at FAO headquarters, championed by the Government of Peru and Spain in collaboration with other Members. Additionally, from 29 May to 5 June, visit the Journey of the Potato exhibition at the FAO Museum close to the Food lab and explore the global journey of the potato spanning 8 000 years and tracing the potato’s roots to its birthplace near Lake Titicaca in the Andes Mountains, where early farmers first domesticated wild tubers.
Ahead of the event, dive into our 'Get Involved' guide to learn more about how you can contribute to promoting sustainable development through potatoes.
PROGRAMME
Global Celebration of International Day of Potato, hosted by the Kingdom of Lesotho
Venue: Avani Lesotho hotel, Maseru, Lesotho
Time: 08:00 – 13:00
Language: English
Master of ceremony: Lekhooe Makhate, Director of Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Securty and Nutrition, Lesotho
AGENDA
| Time | Session Item | Speaker/Lead |
|---|---|---|
| 08.00 | Arrival | All |
| 08.45 | Welcome poem (Sesotho) | Sotho kids |
| 09.00 | Opening prayer | Volunteer |
| 09.05 | Welcome remarks | Khothatso Ts’ooana, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the Kingdom of Lesotho |
| 09:10 | Video presentation: Success in the fields | Featuring Maleuta and Madiholo |
| 09:20 | Farmers perspectives: Successes and hurdles | Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU) and Potato Lesotho Association (PLA) Farmer Representatives |
| 09:35 | One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative in Lesotho: Progress report | Tsebang Lebata, OCOP National Focal Point |
| 09:50 | Cultural performance | Sotho kids |
| 10:00 | Group photo and health break | All |
| 10:30 | Potato’s role in agriculture and food security | Selebalo Moeketsi, Director Crops Services (a.i.) |
| 10:45 | The future is rooted in potatoes - Trends in Africa | Dinah Borus, World Potato Congress (Kenya) |
| 11:00 | Potato: A Crop for Food Security, Resilience, and Opportunity in Africa | Abdul Naico, International Potato Center (CIP) |
| 11:15 | Statement from Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Lesotho | His Excellency Yang Xiaokun. Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Kingdom of Lesotho |
| 11:30 | FAO regional vision | Patrice Talla, FAO representative |
| 11:45 | Global message | QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General |
12:00 | Exhibition walk-through (Tech showcase and food tasting) | |
| 12:30 | Cultural performance | Sotho kids |
| 12:45 | Key note address and closing remarks | Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the Kingdom of Lesotho |
| 13:00 | Reception | All |
Cooking demonstration hosted by the Government of Peru and Spain
Time: 11:00 -13:00
Venue: FAO headquarters (Food lab)
Language: Spanish and English
Moderator: José Carlos Capel, journalist, food critic and President of Madrid Fusión
AGENDA
| Time | Session Item | Speaker/ Lead |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00–11:10 | Opening remarks | Manuel José Antonio Cacho Sousa Velázquez, Ambassador of Peru to Italy |
| 11:10 – 11:20 | Video message | Máximo Torero, FAO Chief Economist |
| 11:20 – 12:30 | Presentation on the history of the Spanish potato omelette accompanied by a Spanish and Peruvian cooking show centered on potatoes | José Carlos Capel, journalist, food critic, and President of Madrid Fusión |
| 12:30 – 12:50 | Tasting of Spanish potato omelette and Peruvian carapulcra | All |
| 12:50 – 13:00 | Closing remarks | Fernando Miranda, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain to FAO |