Peru is home to the largest Potato Germplasm Bank in the world

International Potato Day (May 30) not only celebrated the flavor of the tuber, but also those who help preserve it and keep each of its species alive. One of them is the International Potato Center (CIP), located in Peru, home to the most extensive potato germplasm bank in the world. This bank is a critical resource for global food security and climate change adaptation, conserving an extensive collection of potatoes that includes 5,014 cultivated varieties, 2,638 wild relatives, and 1,567 lines in the process of breeding. Since its founding in 1971, the CIP has led efforts in the preservation of tuber biodiversity. Through its Germplasm Bank, CIP uses traditional genetic improvement methods, complying with the moratorium in force in the Andes against genetically modified crops. This approach takes advantage of natural genetic diversity to develop new potato varieties in a sustainable way, thus ensuring a constant and resilient supply for the future. Potato Varieties Developed by ...