Peru is moving two conventionally bred, iron-rich potato varieties into certified seed production after decades of research. The science is promising: a controlled trial found that meals made from an iron-biofortified potato delivered substantially more absorbed iron than a conventional comparison. Yet breeding is only the beginning. Seed availability, farmer confidence, culinary acceptance, affordability and public-health coordination will determine whether a better tuber becomes measurably better nutrition for Andean families.
South, Central America
PapaDX moves beyond photo diagnosis as AI assistant learns the history of individual potato fields
PapaDX, an AI-driven app developed in Argentina, has expanded from basic image-based crop diagnosis to a comprehensive digital assistant for potato growers. Its new features include field-specific memory tracking, Growing Degree Days monitoring, and a weed identification function. These updates enhance crop management by anticipating risks and contextualizing field history, marking a shift from reactive diagnosis to proactive support, ultimately aiming to empower growers in potato production.
PapaDX brings AI-assisted potato crop diagnosis and weather alerts to the field
Aconcagua Digital has launched PapaDX, a mobile application for potato growers that analyzes crop photographs to diagnose health issues using AI technology. Released in August 2026, it offers confidence ratings and management suggestions based on identified diseases, pests, and nutrient deficiencies. In addition to visual assessments, PapaDX provides weather alerts to predict disease risk. While a useful tool, it should not replace professional consultation for accurate diagnoses.
‘The cost of being late’: Ecuador’s zebra chip warning to the global potato industry
What Ecuador’s experience with zebra chip can teach the global potato industry about preparedness, diagnosis and the human cost of being late. By Lukie Pieterse, Editor/Publisher of Potato News Today On 21 August, a European potato research project published an account from Ecuador that deserves attention well beyond Europe. It was not a story about a laboratory breakthrough or a[Read More…]
The secret behind indigenous Andeans’ ‘digestive superpower’ may be potatoes
A new study reveals that ancient potato farming in the Andes significantly influenced human evolution, particularly among Indigenous populations. Researchers from UCLA and the University at Buffalo found that natural selection favored Andeans with multiple copies of the AMY1 gene, enhancing starch digestion capabilities since the cultivation of potatoes 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. These findings contribute to understanding dietary adaptations in high-altitude environments.
Lamb Weston to close Munro, Argentina plant, consolidating Latin America production to state-of-the-art Mar del Plata facility
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. is closing its Munro, Argentina plant to consolidate production at a modern facility in Mar del Plata, enhancing operational efficiency and profitability. Approximately 100 affected employees will receive severance. Additionally, a production line in the Netherlands will be temporarily curtailed. These moves align with the company’s Focus to Win strategy, focusing on market prioritization and strengthening customer partnerships.
Restrain announces new Managing Director for Latin America
Restrain announces the appointment of Mr. Gonzalo Caldiz as Managing Director for Latin America, reinforcing its commitment to regional growers and partners. With over 18 years in agribusiness, Caldiz leads all commercial and operational activities, focusing on sustainable, chemical-free solutions. His experience and leadership are expected to enhance Restrain’s presence and service quality in Latin America, supporting innovation in post-harvest management and collaboration with Agrical Cono Sur S.A.
Brazil and the Netherlands strengthen cooperation ties in the seed sector
Representatives from Brazil’s seed sector met with Dutch officials to explore regulatory and technical cooperation, particularly regarding seed potatoes. The meeting introduced Brazilian delegates to Dutch representatives Alf de Wit and Inge Horsmeier, discussed phytosanitary requirements for importing seed potatoes, and highlighted the planned visit by the Dutch Secretary of Defense to discuss plant health. A memorandum of understanding aims to enhance innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
CIP with the participation of Indigenous communities develops late blight resistant potato variety for Peru
The disease that led to the Irish Potato Famine still causes significant losses in potato crops, costing about $10 billion annually. Ahead of COP30, the International Potato Center has introduced CIP-Asiryq, a new late blight-resistant variety developed with Indigenous communities, requiring fewer fungicides and cooking faster than the Yungay variety. This innovation aims to enhance food security and provide options for smallholder farmers facing climate change challenges.
From ash to abundance: How mulching is reviving potato fields in Peru
In the Andean highlands, farmers traditionally burn crop residues post-harvest, harming soil and air quality. However, in La Libertad, Peru, they’re adopting mulching, covering fields with straw to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and enhance soil health. This practice has doubled potato yields and promotes sustainability. Mulching reduces emissions, fire risks, and labor costs while echoing ancestral farming wisdom, showcasing its global adaptability for sustainable agriculture.
Lamb Weston opens state-of-the-art frozen French fry production facility in Argentina to supply Latin America
Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc. has officially opened a 40,000-square-meter production facility in Mar del Plata, Argentina, dedicated to premium frozen potato products. This state-of-the-art plant, capable of processing 200 million pounds of potatoes annually, will primarily export 80% of its output to Brazil and other Latin American markets. The investment creates approximately 250 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs while promoting sustainable practices and local sourcing.
Argentina: Oversupply drives potato prices to collapse, costs drive producers into distress
Córdoba’s potato sector is experiencing a crisis due to overproduction, resulting in prices that are significantly below cultivation costs, jeopardizing jobs. Producers planted 8,000 hectares more, leading to a surplus and prices around 2,500-3,000 pesos, while production costs are about 4,000 pesos. Market dynamics and declining fresh produce consumption exacerbate the issue, prompting some growers to discard crops or shift to alternative crops like wheat and corn to mitigate losses.
Lamb Weston bets big in Argentina: Inside the decision to build Latin America’s most modern fry plant
Lamb Weston is establishing a new plant in Mar del Plata, Argentina, to enhance its Latin American strategy. CEO Romina Broda highlights the region’s quality crops and talent as advantages. The facility, designed for modern processing and food safety, aims to strengthen grower partnerships, create jobs, and improve supply chain efficiency. This investment signifies a long-term commitment to local development and export capacity while addressing regional demand.
Argentina: Lamb Weston completed the first production test at its new Mar del Plata plant
Lamb Weston International has completed its first full-scale production trial at its new plant in Mar del Plata in Argentina, achieving excellent product quality and marking a significant step toward its official opening in October. This success indicates that the facility’s integrated systems function as planned. The plant, expected to create 250 direct and 3,000 indirect jobs, reinforces Lamb Weston’s leadership in innovation within Argentina’s agro-industrial sector.
Organic or intensive agriculture? Brazil reframes the debate over the most promising future for farming
By 2050, the world population has surged past 9 billion, dramatically increasing the demand for nutritious food. However, climate instability and limited arable land threaten food production, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. While the U.S. excels in agricultural efficiency, replicating its methods is challenging elsewhere. South America’s agricultural transformation offers a potential model for developing regions facing similar crises.
Silicon in potatoes? A strategy to improve yield and sustainability, according to this company in Argentina
Silicon is increasingly recognized for its role in enhancing potato production by strengthening plant structure, improving resistance, and optimizing yields, according to an article published by Argenpapa. Despite challenges in natural absorption, new technologies have improved its assimilation, aiding crop defense and stress tolerance. The company Brometan’s experiences in trials across Uruguay and Argentina show promising results in disease control, yield enhancement, and reduced pest attractiveness.
Podcast: ‘From Peru to Kenya – The Potato’s Journey of Resilience’
The first episode of ‘Crop Chronicles,’ a podcast by Crop Trust, explores the global significance and history of potatoes. Traveling from the Peruvian Andes to Kenyan farmlands, the podcast discusses the resilience of potatoes, innovative farming techniques, and scientific efforts to preserve potato diversity amid climate challenges. You can listen to the 20 minute long podcast on Spotify.
Reviving tradition: Organic potato farming takes root in Peru’s Colca River Valley
Peru, the origin of the potato, relies heavily on this crop, especially in the Andes where it’s cultivated by small-scale farmers. The Colca River Valley, a popular tourist spot, depends significantly on potato farming. However, there’s a lack of knowledge regarding organic cultivation. The Arequipa Nexus Institute Phase III project aims to assist farmers by addressing barriers to organic practices, optimizing soil management, and improving compost production.
Carlos Ochoa: Rightfully named the ‘Indiana Jones’ of the potato world
The latest installment of Krishak Jakat’s ‘Seed Heroes’ series honors Peruvian scientist Carlos Ochoa for his significant contributions to understanding and improving potato varieties. Known as the “Indiana Jones of the potato world,” Ochoa’s adventurous expeditions led to the discovery of numerous wild potato species. His work has greatly enhanced crop resilience and food security in Peru and beyond. Ochoa’s legacy is celebrated on International Potato Day, 30 May 2024.
International Potato Center launches ambitious survey to revolutionize potato varieties in the Global South
The International Potato Center, backed by CGIAR, launched a survey to improve food security in the Global South by developing resilient potato varieties. It seeks data from various agricultural stakeholders to tailor breeding programs to regional needs, thus enhancing yield and sustainability. This effort combines market needs analysis, sustainable practice evaluation, and understanding farmer and consumer preferences to address climate impact on food systems.
HZPC’s mission in the Andes: Protecting potato diversity and supporting farmers
In Peru’s Andes, efforts by HZPC and the CIP are preserving potato genetic diversity with direct farmer support through the AGUAPAN initiative. Around 100 farming families who conserve up to 300 ancient potato varieties benefit from financial contributions, tackling poverty and enhancing well-being. Researchers strive to document these landraces, including a ‘potato field guide’ for the over 3,000 unique varieties.
Andean farmers use age-old technique amid climate change to protect potato and quinoa crops
In the Andean plateaus of Puno, Peru and Bolivia, ancient Waru Waru agricultural techniques, dating back 2,000 years, are being revived to combat climate change. These rectangular, raised planting beds, surrounded by water to create microclimates, protect crops like potatoes and quinoa from drought and frost. In 2023, during a severe drought, they enabled farmers to sustain food production and maintain their rural livelihoods.
From the highlands to high cuisine: Ecuador’s journey with native potatoes
Ecuador is experiencing an agricultural rebirth in the highlands, focusing on native potatoes. With 250,000 tons produced in 2021, small farmers are key. Partnerships between INIAP, CIP, INALPROCES, and AGROPAPA have innovated the market with colored potato chips under the Kiwa brand, leading to 80% export-driven sales increases and economic stability for farmers. This initiative supports local biodiversity and spotlights the need for continued public-private collaboration for industry growth.
‘From Pampas to Progress’: Argentinian crop specialist shares insights into ecologically intensified cropping systems
In the latest Yara Crop Nutrition podcast, the presenters delve into the heart of modern agriculture with Dr. Fernando Garcia, a renowned expert in soil fertility and crop nutrition, and Free Professor at the College of Agricultural Sciences of the National University of Mar del Plata, Argentina. Dr Garcia highlights several innovative practices that are being developed and implemented in Argentina, such as precision agriculture, drones, and satellite imagery to monitor crop health and optimize inputs.
Argentinian scientists develop first Latin American genetically edited potato to prevent enzymatic browning
Argentinian scientists from INTA are set to release Latin America’s first genetically edited potato, developed using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. This innovation, part of Dr. Matías González’s doctoral thesis, aims to inhibit the gene causing enzymatic browning, a process that affects potatoes’ flavor, texture, and nutritional value. The edited potato could significantly reduce food waste and financial losses for farmers and retailers.


























