No-nonsense, no-frills potato news stories from around the world
NextGen Potatoes explores the future of the global potato industry through cutting-edge breeding, smart technologies, grower adaptation, and sustainable practices. This section features in-depth articles, interviews, and insights highlighting innovation, resilience, and the next generation of solutions shaping potato production worldwide.
The 2025 Hutchinsons Potato Trials at Worth Farms highlighted key results in PCN management, herbicide safety, and blight control for potato crops. Research revealed newer potato varieties showing better resistance to PCN compared to older ones. Herbicide application timing is crucial for preventing crop damage. Additionally, resistance genes in blight strains emphasize the importance of varied fungicide strategies.
The potato, a critical global food source, harvested 359 million tons in 2022, providing essential calories for 1.3 billion people. However, significant storage losses of 50-70 million tons annually threaten food security and generate high CO2 emissions. Innovations in ventilation, energy efficiency, and automation can drastically reduce waste and emissions. Achieving smart storage systems by 2050 is essential to sustain food production amid rising climate challenges and a growing global population, as Lukie Pieterse argues in this article.
The potato industry, producing over 350 million tons yearly, faces a critical transformation towards organic farming. As consumer preference shifts for sustainable produce, organic sales grow 10-15% annually, despite only 2-3% of farmland dedicated to it. Transitioning to organic offers financial benefits but challenges yield drops and costs. Regional dynamics impact success, where agronomists play a crucial role in adapting practices, making organic cultivation a profitable opportunity for commercial farmers worldwide.
Potatoes, vital for global food security, face severe threats from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased pests and diseases. These factors amplify existing risks like late blight and potato virus Y, creating challenges for growers. Adaptation strategies, such as developing resistant varieties and employing precision agriculture, are essential to counteract these impacts. Immediate action is critical to safeguard this essential crop for future generations.
The Netherlands’ Board for Plant Varieties has approved a revolutionary potato variety developed by KeyGene using the 2S1 graft hybrid technique. This method merges traits from two existing varieties, Pimpernel’s skin and Bintje’s cell layers, enhancing features like drought tolerance and yield. The successful commercialization of this proof-of-concept signals significant potential for improving various crops through sustainable breeding practices, according to KeyGene’s leaders.
Potato farming is crucial for global food security, providing essential calories, especially in developing nations, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. With climate change threatening yields—by up to 30% by 2050—the need for resilient farming practices is urgent. Breeding heat-tolerant varieties, optimizing agronomic techniques, and applying technology like precision agriculture are vital strategies. Successful examples show the potential for increased yields and improved nutrition in affected communities, ensuring the crop’s sustainability.
Potato growers are facing a challenging era marked by climate fluctuations, rising costs, and stringent consumer demands for sustainability and traceability, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. To adapt, the industry is increasingly adopting technology like precision agriculture, predictive analytics, smart storage, and automation. These innovations not only enhance efficiency but also foster resilience, enabling farmers to make informed decisions, reduce losses, and improve market access. Ensuring equitable access to these tools is essential for all growers to thrive.
The integration of advanced technologies in potato breeding has significantly accelerated innovation, writes Lukie Pieterse in this article. Key advancements include marker-assisted selection (MAS) for disease resistance, genomic selection for predicting success, CRISPR/Cas9 for precise gene editing, and cisgenics for trait stacking, he says. However, the unequal distribution of these technologies poses challenges, particularly for developing countries. Enhancing access through strengthened public institutions, partnerships, and equitable seed systems is crucial for achieving breeding success.
The global potato industry faces significant challenges due to climate change, supply chain issues, and evolving consumer demands, threatening its future, as Lukie Pieterse points out in this article. To build resilience, five pillars are essential: innovative breeding, advanced technology, farmer-driven adaptation, global knowledge exchange, and supportive ecosystems. Collaborative efforts are crucial among breeders, farmers, and policymakers.
