The Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation (WDI) has launched a call for proposals for the 2021 Potato Sector Development for Emerging Markets Course.

A historically important staple food, potatoes are gaining traction as a crop that also offers income opportunities for food processers and agribusinesses. The demand for potato food products in the developing world is increasing, and with that the number of people consuming potatoes worldwide. Potatoes have the potential to feed even more people in the future. In this course, they explore this potential, by covering the complete (seed) potato chain.

Key course learnings include:

• In-depth knowledge on seed potato production systems and their application in different agro ecological conditions in the world;
• Broad expertise on potato varieties, breeding and variety testing (DUS and VCU). Quality aspects of seed potatoes;
• Insights on main diseases and pests (and their management) in potato, with a focus on seed and soil borne diseases;
• A look into the main agronomic practices( planting, fertilizer use, irrigation);
• Understanding the importance of crop rotation in emerging economies;
• Attention to the legal aspects of seed potatoes (PBR, phytosanitary regulations);
• The importance of harvest, storage and grading methods and pre-planting tuber treatment;
• An introduction to potato value chains & the business of potatoes along the value chain;
• The role of public and private sector in the sector development;
• Various practical demonstrations;
• Various visits to Dutch service providers along the value chain.

Course Date

• Date: Mon 14 June 2021 until Fri 23 July 2021
• Duration: Part-time, 14hrs per week (6 weeks)
• Venue: Facilitated online sessions

Criteria

WDI invites practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and programme/ project managers who want to develop the potato industry in their home countries to join the course. Participants should be proficient in English, and have at least a BSc degree or an equivalent academic qualification and three years of work experience in potatoes or a related field.

For more information, visit CDI.