International Year of the Potato
Encyclopedia
The year 2008 was declared the International Year of the Potato by the United Nations
, noting that the potato
is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population, and affirming the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty. Food and Agriculture Organization
was invited to facilitate its implementation.
The corresponding resolution adopted on 25 November 2005 by the Food and Agriculture Organization
, which was to facilitate the implementation of the year, affirmed "the need to revive public awareness of the relationship that exists between poverty
, food security
, malnutrition
and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger."
This was one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was shared with the International Year of Sanitation
.
It was hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice
(2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources.
2008 was also designated the National Year of the Potato in Peru
.
Several functions and events were held throughout the world, including those by the United Nations Association in Canada
, honouring Wallace McCain
, co-founder of McCain Foods Limited
.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, noting that the potato
Potato
The potato is a starchy, tuberous crop from the perennial Solanum tuberosum of the Solanaceae family . The word potato may refer to the plant itself as well as the edible tuber. In the region of the Andes, there are some other closely related cultivated potato species...
is a staple food in the diet of the world’s population, and affirming the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can play in providing food security and eradicating poverty. Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
was invited to facilitate its implementation.
The corresponding resolution adopted on 25 November 2005 by the Food and Agriculture Organization
Food and Agriculture Organization
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and...
, which was to facilitate the implementation of the year, affirmed "the need to revive public awareness of the relationship that exists between poverty
Poverty
Poverty is the lack of a certain amount of material possessions or money. Absolute poverty or destitution is inability to afford basic human needs, which commonly includes clean and fresh water, nutrition, health care, education, clothing and shelter. About 1.7 billion people are estimated to live...
, food security
Food security
Food security refers to the availability of food and one's access to it. A household is considered food-secure when its occupants do not live in hunger or fear of starvation. According to the World Resources Institute, global per capita food production has been increasing substantially for the past...
, malnutrition
Malnutrition
Malnutrition is the condition that results from taking an unbalanced diet in which certain nutrients are lacking, in excess , or in the wrong proportions....
and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger."
This was one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was shared with the International Year of Sanitation
International Year of Sanitation
The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of Sanitation by the United Nations in conjunction with the Water for Life Decade.The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2008 the International Year of Sanitation. Worldwide there are roughly 2.6 billion people who do not have access...
.
It was hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice
International Year of Rice
The year 2004 was declared the International Year of Rice by the United Nations, noting that rice is a staple food for more than half the world's population, and affirming the need to heighten awareness of the role of rice in alleviating poverty and malnutrition.This is one of many International...
(2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources.
2008 was also designated the National Year of the Potato in Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
.
Several functions and events were held throughout the world, including those by the United Nations Association in Canada
United Nations Association in Canada
The United Nations Association in Canada engages the Canadian public in the work of the United Nations and the critical international issues which face us all. Canada has been an integral part of the UNA and continues to do so in the future....
, honouring Wallace McCain
Wallace McCain
G. Wallace F. McCain, was a Canadian businessman, co-founder of McCain Foods Limited. With an estimated net worth of $US 2.3 billion , McCain was ranked by Forbes as the 13th wealthiest Canadian and 512th in the world.- Background :Born in Florenceville, New Brunswick, he received a Bachelor of...
, co-founder of McCain Foods Limited
McCain Foods Limited
McCain Foods Limited is a privately owned company established in 1957 by four brothers—Harrison McCain, Wallace McCain, Robert McCain, and Andrew McCain—in Florenceville, New Brunswick, Canada...
.