As the prices of wheat and rice continue to rise, the potato is gaining recognition as a valuable crop that could provide affordable nutrition to a growing global population. India aims to increase potato production by twofold within the next five to ten years, while China has surpassed all other countries as the largest producer of potatoes. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the potato is experiencing significant growth compared to other crops. Originating from Peru, potatoes can thrive in a variety of climates and elevations, from the cold Andes Mountains to the warm flatlands of Asia. "The potato, a low-water crop that matures in as little as 50 days and can yield two to four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice, is seen as a potential solution to global food shortages," said Pamela Anderson, director of the International Potato Center in Lima (CIP). The United Nations designated 2008 as the International Year of the Potato to raise awareness about its potential as an antidote to hunger caused by various factors such as higher food prices, population growth, and increased production of biofuels. Governments are beginning to utilize potatoes as a solution to rising wheat prices. Peru has initiated a program to promote the use of potato flour in bread-making, distributing potato bread to school children, prisoners, and the military in the hopes of sparking a trend. Advocates claim that potato bread tastes just as delicious as wheat bread, but there is a limited availability of mills producing potato flour. Peru's agriculture minister, Ismael Benavides, stresses the need to alter people's eating habits in order to address this issue. The affordability of wheat led to people becoming addicted to it. Although the potato originated in Peru near Lake Titicaca 8,000 years ago, Europeans consume more potatoes than Peruvians. Belarus is the top consumer of potatoes globally, with each person eating an average of 376 pounds (171 kg) per year. Some individuals are transitioning to potatoes due to high bread prices. In Latvia, bread sales decreased by 10-15 percent in the first two months of the year, while potato purchases rose by 20 percent according to food producers. The potato is becoming increasingly popular in the developing world as more crops are being planted, allowing poor farmers to earn more money. Many countries see the potato as a good option for improving food security and generating income. Despite being the world's third most important food crop after wheat and rice, potatoes come in over 5,000 different types, offering a diverse and affordable range of colors. While corn is the most widely planted crop, it is primarily used for animal feed. Peru is providing numerous seeds to the Doomsday Vault near the Arctic Circle this year, contributing to a gene bank for food crops in case of a global catastrophe. Potatoes come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, offering chefs the opportunity to create visually appealing dishes. Juan Carlos Mescco, a 17-year-old potato farmer in Peru, enjoys eating potatoes in different ways throughout the day and highlights their great taste. Potatoes are a rich source of complex carbohydrates that provide slow-release energy and have a low fat content compared to wheat. Additionally, they contain fewer calories than bread, more protein than corn when boiled, and nearly double the calcium, as stated by the Potato Center. The potato contains vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc. One reason why the potato remains affordable is because it is not a global commodity like wheat, which attracts speculative professional investment. Wheat production is nearly double that of potatoes, with about 17 percent of wheat flowing into foreign trade compared to less than 5 percent of potatoes. Prices for potatoes are mainly influenced by local tastes rather than international demand. Raw potatoes are weighty and prone to spoilage during transportation, which has hindered the growth of international trade in them. Additionally, they are easily susceptible to disease, making it difficult to export them in order to prevent the spread of plant pathogens. Consequently, some countries have unappealing prices for farmers, discouraging them from cultivating potatoes. Peruvian market-goers believe that government intervention is necessary to boost demand, as prices remain low. Juana Villavicencio, who dedicated 15 years to planting potatoes and now sells them at a low price in a market in Cusco, Peru, believes that working with potatoes is not profitable. However, advancements in science are progressing rapidly. German chemicals group BASF is currently developing genetically modified potatoes that are resistant to "late blight," a disease that caused famine in Ireland during the 19th century and still results in approximately 20 percent of potato harvest losses globally. According to the company, farmers can increase their yields by 30 percent and receive approval for export by using clean, virus-free seeds. This would result in increased earnings for farmers and promote higher production levels, as companies would be able to export specialty potatoes rather than only selling them as frozen french fries or potato chips.