The rising prices of wheat and rice have led to a newfound appreciation for the humble potato, which is now seen as a nutritious crop with the potential to feed the world affordably. Potatoes, originally from Peru, can thrive in various climates and require minimal water. They can be harvested in as little as 50 days and produce two to four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice. Pamela Anderson, director of the International Potato Center in Lima, believes that the potato could help address food shortages and ensure food security globally. The potato is being seen as a solution to hunger caused by rising food prices, population growth, increased costs for fertilizer and diesel, and more land being used for biofuel production. The United Nations declared 2008 the International Year of the Potato to bring attention to its potential as a valuable resource. Governments, like Peru's, are promoting the use of potato flour in bread as a way to combat rising wheat prices and provide food to various groups, with the hope that this trend will continue to grow. Supporters argue that potato flour tastes just as good as wheat bread, but there are not enough mills producing it. Ismael Benavides, Peru's agriculture minister, believes that people's eating habits need to change, as they became addicted to wheat when it was cheap. Despite the potato originating in Peru 8,000 years ago, Peruvians consume fewer potatoes than Europeans. Belarus is the world leader in potato consumption, with each person in the country eating an average of 376 pounds (171 kg) annually. India aims to double its potato production in the next five to 10 years, according to food experts. China, a country known for its history of devastating famines and heavy rice consumption, has now emerged as the leading producer of potatoes globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the potato has seen significant growth compared to other crops. In Latvia, rising bread prices have led to a decrease in sales by 10-15 percent in the first two months of the year, while potato purchases have increased by 20 percent. The developing world is witnessing a surge in potato cultivation, offering a potential opportunity for impoverished farmers to increase their income as demand for the crop rises. Anderson stated that countries are considering the potato as a viable choice for ensuring food security and generating income. The potato is ranked as the world's third most crucial food crop, following wheat and rice. While corn is predominantly grown for animal feed, potatoes come in approximately 5,000 varieties, contrary to the common association with the bland Idaho type. Peru is contributing to a gene bank for food crops by sending thousands of seeds to the Doomsday Vault near the Arctic Circle, which was established as a precaution in the event of a global catastrophe. Potatoes come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, offering creative chefs the opportunity to create visually appealing dishes. Juan Carlos Mescco, a 17-year-old potato farmer in Peru, enjoys eating potatoes in various forms throughout the day. Potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates that release energy slowly and have low fat content compared to wheat. They also have fewer calories than bread and more protein and calcium when boiled. In addition, potatoes contain vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc. Speculators are not interested in potatoes because they are not a global commodity like wheat. Wheat production is almost double that of potatoes, and only about 5 percent of potatoes are traded internationally. Prices for potatoes are driven by local tastes rather than international demand. Global trade in potatoes has been slow due to their weight and susceptibility to rotting during transit. They are also vulnerable to being infected by pathogens, which hinders their exportation in order to prevent the spread of plant diseases. However, the drawback is that prices in certain countries are not enticing enough to incentivize farmers to cultivate them. Individuals in Peruvian markets suggest that the government should intervene to boost demand. Juana Villavicencio, who has been planting potatoes for 15 years and now sells them for very low prices in a market in Cusco, in Peru's southern Andes, expressed, "Prices are low. It is not profitable to work with potatoes." Science is progressing rapidly, with German chemicals group BASF working on developing genetically modified potatoes that can resist "late blight." This disease, which caused famine in Ireland in the 19th century and still results in 20 percent of potato harvest losses worldwide, is a major concern. Researchers believe that by using clean, virus-free seeds, farmers can increase their yields by 30 percent and gain approval for exporting their crops. This could lead to higher incomes for farmers and incentivize more production, as companies would be able to sell specialty potatoes internationally instead of just as frozen french fries or potato chips.