As wheat and rice prices increase, the once overlooked potato is now being recognized for its nutritional value and potential to feed the world at a low cost. Potatoes, originally from Peru, can be grown in various climates and require minimal water. They mature quickly and can produce more food per hectare than wheat or rice. Pamela Anderson, director of the International Potato Center in Lima, believes that potatoes could help address food supply issues and contribute to food security. The potato is being recognized as a solution to hunger caused by rising food prices, a growing population, increasing 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, such as Peru, are promoting the use of potato flour in bread to combat rising wheat prices, distributing potato bread to various groups in the hopes of starting a trend. Supporters argue that potato flour tastes just as delicious 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 inexpensive. Despite the potato originating in Peru 8,000 years ago near Lake Titicaca, Peruvians consume fewer potatoes compared to Europeans. Belarus is the world leader in potato consumption, with each citizen eating an average of 376 pounds (171 kg) a year. India aims to double its potato production in the next five to 10 years, according to food experts. China, a country that has experienced significant famines in the past due to its heavy reliance on rice consumption, has now emerged as the leading producer of potatoes globally. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the cultivation of potatoes is rapidly increasing compared to other crops. This shift in consumer preference towards potatoes is evident in countries like Latvia, where rising bread prices have led to a decrease in sales by 10-15 percent, while potato purchases have increased by 20 percent. The developing world, particularly, is seeing a surge in potato cultivation, offering an 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. Despite being the world's third most important food crop, potatoes come in a variety of colors and are not limited to the traditional Idaho variety. Peru is contributing to a gene bank for food crops by sending thousands of potato seeds to the Doomsday Vault near the Arctic Circle. Potatoes come in a variety of colors, shapes, textures, and sizes, allowing creative chefs to create visually appealing dishes. According to 17-year-old potato farmer Juan Carlos Mescco from Peru, potatoes taste great and can be enjoyed in various ways from breakfast to dinner. Potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates that provide slow-release energy, with only five percent fat content compared to wheat. They have one-fourth of the calories of bread, more protein than corn, and nearly twice the calcium when boiled. Additionally, potatoes contain vitamin C, iron, potassium, and zinc. Speculators are not interested in potatoes because they are not a global commodity like wheat, which attracts professional investment for speculation. Wheat production is almost double that of potatoes, with only about 5 percent of potatoes being traded internationally. Local tastes drive potato prices, as they are heavy and prone to rotting during transportation, limiting global trade. They are also vulnerable to getting infected by diseases, which makes it difficult to export them and prevent the spread of plant diseases. However, the drawback is that prices in certain countries are not appealing enough to encourage farmers to cultivate them. Locals in Peruvian markets believe the government should step in to increase demand. Juana Villavicencio, who has been growing potatoes for 15 years, stated, "Prices are low. It is not profitable to cultivate potatoes," as she sells them for very little in a market in Cusco, in the southern Andes region of Peru. However, advancements in science are happening quickly. German chemicals group BASF is currently working on creating genetically modified potatoes that are resistant to "late blight." This disease caused a famine in Ireland in the 19th century and still results in approximately 20 percent of potato harvest losses worldwide, according to the company. Researchers suggest that farmers who utilize clean, virus-free seeds could increase their yields by 30 percent and gain approval for export. This could lead to increased income for farmers and promote more production, as companies would be able to sell specialty potatoes internationally, rather than just as frozen french fries or potato chips.