As the prices of wheat and rice continue to rise, the humble potato is being recognized once again as a nutritious crop that could efficiently feed a world facing increasing hunger. India has expressed its desire to double potato production within the next five to ten years. China, a major consumer of rice that has experienced severe famines in the past, has now become the leading producer of potatoes worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, potato cultivation is expanding more rapidly than any other crop. Potatoes, originally from Peru, can be grown at various elevations and climates, from the cold slopes of the Andes Mountains to the warm flatlands of Asia. They need very little water, can be ready in as little as 50 days, and can produce between two and four times more food per hectare than wheat or rice. Pamela Anderson, director of the International Potato Center in Lima (CIP), a non-profit scientific organization researching the potato family to promote food security, emphasized the real threat to the food supply and the potential scarcity of food worldwide. She, along with others, believes that the potato can help address these challenges. The potato has the potential to alleviate hunger caused by rising food prices, a growing population, increasing costs for fertilizer and diesel, and more land being used for biofuel production. To raise awareness about the potato's importance, the United Nations declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, recognizing it as a valuable resource. Governments are utilizing potatoes as a solution to rising wheat prices. In Peru, leaders are promoting the use of potato flour in bread-making to combat the increase in wheat prices. Potato bread is being distributed to various groups in the hopes of popularizing the trend. Advocates claim that potato bread is just as tasty as wheat bread, but there is a shortage of mills producing potato flour. Peru's agriculture minister, Ismael Benavides, emphasizes the need to change people's dietary habits. People became hooked on wheat due to its affordability. Despite the fact that potatoes originated in Peru around 8,000 years ago near Lake Titicaca, Peruvians consume fewer potatoes compared to Europeans. Belarus holds the top spot for potato consumption globally, with each resident consuming an average of 376 pounds (171 kg) annually. Some individuals are transitioning to potatoes as a result. In Latvia, escalating bread prices led to a 10-15 percent decline in sales in January and February, while potato purchases increased by 20 percent, according to food producers. In the developing world, the majority of new potato crops are being planted, giving poor farmers the opportunity to increase their income as consumption rises. Many countries see the potato as a valuable option for enhancing food security and generating income. Despite being the third most important food crop globally after wheat and rice, potatoes are often overshadowed by corn, which is primarily used for animal feed. While many Americans may only be familiar with the plain Idaho potato, there are actually around 5,000 different varieties available in a rainbow of colors. Peru is sending a large quantity of seeds to the Doomsday Vault near the Arctic Circle this year to contribute to a gene bank for food crops in case of a global disaster. Potatoes come in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, providing chefs with the opportunity to create visually appealing dishes. A 17-year-old potato farmer in Peru's Andes, Juan Carlos Mescco, enjoys eating potatoes in different ways throughout the day. Potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates that provide slow-release energy and have a low fat content compared to wheat. They also contain fewer calories than bread, more protein than corn when boiled, and nearly twice the calcium, according to the Potato Center. They have vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc. The potato remains affordable because it is not a global commodity like wheat, which attracts speculative professional investment. Wheat production is almost double that of potato output, with only about 5 percent of potatoes being traded internationally. Prices are mainly driven by local tastes rather than international demand. Raw potatoes are difficult to transport due to their weight and tendency to spoil, resulting in slow global trade. Additionally, they are easily infected with pathogens, making it challenging to export them and prevent the spread of plant diseases. This has led to unattractive prices in certain countries, discouraging farmers from growing them. In Peruvian markets, individuals suggest that the government should intervene to increase demand, as prices remain low. Juana Villavicencio, who spent 15 years growing potatoes and now sells them for very little money in a market in Cusco, Peru, believes it is not profitable to work with potatoes. However, there are advancements in science. BASF, a German chemicals group, is developing genetically modified potatoes that can resist "late blight." This disease caused a famine in Ireland in the 19th century and still results in about 20 percent of potato harvest losses globally, according to the company. Scientists suggest that using clean, virus-free seeds can increase yields by 30 percent and allow farmers to export their crops. This would result in increased revenue for farmers and promote higher production levels, as companies would have the opportunity to export specialty potatoes rather than just selling them as frozen french fries or potato chips.