Third observance of the International Day of Potato.





The third observance of the International Day of Potato, will be held 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.



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

Click here for the webcast

Master of ceremony: Lekhooe Makhate, Director of Marketing, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Securty and Nutrition, Lesotho.

AGENDA PROGRAMME

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)

Crops and Nutrition departments
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

Ahead of the event, dive into our 'Get Involved' guide to learn more about how you can contribute to promoting sustainable development through potatoes.
Location: Rome, Metropolitan City of Rome Capital, Italy

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