The document summarizes cooperation between Belgium and the International Potato Center (CIP) on potato research and development. It notes that Belgium has supported CIP since its creation in the 1970s through core funding, hosting Belgian scientists, and collaborative projects between CIP and Belgian universities. An example of early collaboration focused on potato production in Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo, which led to the selection and adoption of the Gasore potato variety. More recent cooperation includes biotechnology research with Ghent University and a project on the American yam bean in Sub-Saharan Africa led by the University of Louvain. The document discusses opportunities to strengthen future collaboration between CIP and Belgian partners.

1. Highlights of the Cooperation
between Belgium and CIP
André Devaux
International Potato Center (CIP)

2. Ahmed Family in Egypt
More than a billion people eat
potatoes around the world
* From “Food Around The World” with Peter Menzel’s pictures from the book "Hungry Planet"

3. Namgay Family in Bhutan
The potato is the third most
important food crop in the
world
* From “Food Around The World” with Peter Menzel’s pictures from the book "Hungry Planet"

4. Ayme Family in Peru
The potato is recommended as a food
security crop as the world still faces
steady hunger rates
* From “Food Around The World” with Peter Menzel’s pictures from the book "Hungry Planet"

5. Rustic, Resilient,
Nutritious
Sweet potato
125g Daily
Vitamin A Fifth most important
food crop in
developing countries

6.  2 billions people suffer from hidden hunger
• Prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies -
Image from HarvestPlus

7. POTATOES and Sweet Potatoes FOR
SUSTAINABLE GLOBALFOOD SECURITY
Potato and Sweet Potato-based systems represent an
increasingly important opportunity for the poor in terms of:
• Food security
• Poverty alleviation
• Improved health status

8. Percent change in crop production
of staple food crops in S.S. Africa ( 1994-2011 )
Source: FAOSTAT

9. CIP Headquarters, Peru
International Potato Center (CIP)
Nairobi,
Kenya
Orissa, India
Bhutan
Addis Abba,
Ethiopia
Kampala,
Uganda
Quito, Ecuador
New Delhi, India
Manila,
Philippines
Nagaland, India
Beijing,
China
Hanoi,
Vietnam
Bogor,
Indonesia
Lilongwe,
Malawi
Maputo,
Mozambique
La Paz, Bolivia
Tashkent,
Uzbekistan

10. PRIORITY
INVESTMENT
AREAS
Andean South America
Higher altitude areas
of Sub-Saharan Africa
Central and western
Asia and the Caucasus
Indo-Gangetic basin of
Southern Asia
China

11. Pro-poor technologies: save costs,
by reducing use of inputs, which
favors adoption by poor farmers:
1. Improve livelihoods,
food security and
nutrition of small-scale
farmers (Agriculture
based countries)
2. Potato as a high value
crop: Pathway out of
poverty (Urbanized &
Transforming countries)
Access dynamic markets: Better
competitiveness, Inclusive value chain
development
Focus of CIP’s
RESEARCH
PORTAFOLIO

12. Pro-poor technologies:
Genetic resources for better varieties
• More production and better quality
• Better nutrition, varieties with higher
nutrient contents : Vit. A, Iron and Zinc
(Biofortification)
• Adaptation to Climate Change (tolerance to
drought)
• Better seed production systems
• Pest control
Examples of CIP
research
portfolio related
to potato
1. Improve
livelihoods and
food security of
small-scale
farmers
(Agriculture based
countries)

13. Examples of CIP
research
portfolio related
to potato
Access dynamic
markets:
• Inclusive value chain
development
• Niche market
development
• Public-private
partnership
2. Potato as a
high value
crop: Pathway
out of poverty
(Urbanized &
Transforming
countries)

14. Belgium-CIP Cooperation
• Since the creation of CIP in the 70’s
• Core budget support
• Belgian scientists at CIP
• Projects linked to UCL, KUL, Ghent, Gembloux
Universities and Agronomic Research Centres
(CRA) on potato research
• King Baudoin award received in several occasions
• Collaboration has helped CIP to reach 1 million ha
with its varieties in developing countries

15. Early collaboration
Highlands of East Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, Congo)
support to potato research (1978-1993)
• Effects on potato production, consumption and better
nutrition
• Impact evaluation with high internal rate of return
(84%)
• Gasore variety selected in collaboration with Belgian
Potato Research Program: early potato, disease
resistant. Adopted by farmers in Rwanda and Congo

16. Gasore: “Une superpatate méconnue”
• Re-introduced to Belgium and used in agro-industry in the 1990’s
• Exported to France for 15 years
• Used today in breeding program due to its resitance to diseases
Win-win collaboration between CIP and Belgium

17. Belgium – CIP Biotechnology
• Biotechnology collaboration with Ghent
University
• Combat the weevil responsible for 20% of
sweetpotato losses annually in East Africa
• Capacity strengthening

18. AHIPA (American yam bean)
project in Sub-Saharan Africa
Ahipa has more protein
and micronutrient density
that cassava
Collaboration with
UCL in Belgium

19. The real Belgian fries ..
Conquering the world …
• Belgium is the largest exporter of
frozen potato products of the world !

20. CIP= POTATOES FOR SUSTAINABLE
GLOBAL FOOD SECURITY…
Peru and the Andes are the
birthplace of the potato…
• Long term research collaboration Belgium – CIP
• CIP is interating directly with the Europeran Association
for Potato Research (EAPR)
• Collaboration with Belgian Universities to be
strengthened throug PhD students, joint research
projects with EU funding
• How do we stimulate public and private partnership?
• Social responsibility project : support to potato project in the Andes of
Ecuador
• Promotion and distribution of Andean native (exotic) potatoes in
Belgium?
The real Belgian fries ..
Conquering the world …

21. Thank you!
a.devaux@cgiar.org