The Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, Neiker-Tecnalia, is leading an international project with the goal of developing new potato varieties which are tolerant to the effects of climate change, as well as to identify already existing cultivars that are capable to resist these effects. These varieties should be suitable for growing under adverse environmental conditions, and contribute in this way to ensure the supply of this foodstuff in the least favoured regions of the planet. The project has a budget of 743.000 euros, financed by the Regional Fund for Agricultural Technology (Fontagro) from the Interamerican Development Bank and the institutions which, together with Neiker-Tecnalia participate in this program.
The potato, a key product in the food chain worldwide, is also suffering the negative consequences of climate change. Its cultivation is being affected currently by global warming, extreme climate events and the expansion of pests and diseases. This situation is especially serious in those countries where the potato is the staple food of the population and is one of the pillars of their economic and social infrastructure. Given this problem, a consortium has been established made up of eight entities from seven countries: Spain, Ecuador, Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Costa Rica and Uruguay. For its renowned track record in potato research, Neiker-Tecnalia was chosen to lead this initiative which is co-funded by the Inter-American Development Bank .
The eight entities are specialists in potato research and the most pressing aim of this project - known as CLIPAPA – is the identification of existing potato varieties that best resist the consequences of climate change. In concrete, it involves selecting varieties that respond well under conditions of drought, coldness, heat and show resistance to the important disease "Late Blight". This same profile is also sought for the medium-term development of new varieties.
The availability of suitable varieties to withstand adverse environmental conditions will help to guarantee the supply of food in deprived zones, mainly in South America. Moreover, it will improve competitiveness of potato cultivation, increase their growing area and diversify agricultural production. Growing suitable potato varieties will boost the income of small farmers and increase their quality of life, and contribute to sustainable development and food self-sufficiency.
Identifying and developing new varieties that require less water for development and growth will lead to important savings of this precious and increasingly scarce natural resource. Likewise, potato varieties which are resistant to diseases, such as late blight (Phytophthora infestans), will directly benefit human health and the environment, given that the use of fungicides will be reduced. Also, resistance of potato to low temperatures is a fundamental requirement for not losing harvest due to frosts, which will l, once again, guarantee food supply for many populations throughout the world.
Participating Institutions
The participating entibies in this project are: Neiker-Tecnalia (Spain), Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (Ecuador), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (Argentina), Fundación para la Promoción e Investigación de Productos Andinos (Bolivia), Instituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria (Peru), the NGO "Yanapai" (Peru), Centro de Investigaciones Agronómicas (Costa Rica) and the Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agraria (Uruguay).