Signing Ceremony of Founding Members to Establish Irish Potato Coalition in Ethiopia (IPC/E) as Local Organization

Signing Ceremony of Founding Members to Establish Irish Potato Coalition in Ethiopia (IPC/E) as Local Organization [...]

Celebrating Potato Day in Ethiopia

On May 28, 2026, the Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), in partnership with the Irish Potato Research and Development Association (IPRADA), marked the 3rd International Day of Potato [...]

National Potato Research and Development Workshop

The Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), together with the Irish Potato Research & Development Association (IPRADA) and several development partners, organized a National Potato Re [...]

Strengthening Potato Innovation Systems for Smallholders

Project Closing Conference – August 11–12, 2022

The closing conference marked the conclusion of a multi‑year initiative aimed at strengthening Ethiopia’s potato sector. The project focused on supporting smallholder farmers to adopt improved varieties and management practices, thereby increasing productivity, household incomes, and food security.

Project Purpose

The initiative sought to build a resilient potato innovation system by improving farmer access to climate‑smart technologies, enhancing the capacity of national research institutions, and establishing a sustainable seed production and distribution network.

Key Outputs

• Improved varieties: Development and local supply of disease‑resistant, climate‑adapted potato varieties.
• Seed production efficiency: Strengthened early generation seed production systems.
• Capacity building: Enhanced technical skills of farmer seed grower cooperatives.
• Technology validation: Proven methods scaled to resource‑poor smallholders.
• Gender inclusion: Mainstreamed approaches ensuring equitable access to knowledge and technology.
• Partnerships: Improved coordination among research institutions, policymakers, private sector actors, and NGOs.

Conference Objectives

The closing event provided a platform to:

• Share achievements against project targets.
• Present lessons learned and highlight areas for improvement in future interventions.
• Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in Ethiopia’s potato sector.
• Fulfill partner requirements for final feedback before project closure.

Participants

Delegates included experts from agricultural research, seed regulation, policy, extension services, private seed producers, NGOs, and potato processing companies. Representatives came from Amhara, Oromia, and SNNP regions, covering 13 districts and 80 kebeles. The project directly reached around 40,000 smallholder farmers with improved seed and production technologies.

Conclusion

The conference reaffirmed the importance of continued investment in potato research, innovation, and seed systems. Stakeholders emphasized that strengthening collaboration and scaling proven technologies will be critical to sustaining progress and ensuring Ethiopia’s potato sector contributes to food security, income generation, and rural development.

African Potato Association Hosts 12th Conference

The African Potato Association (APA) has confirmed that its 12th Triennial Conference will be held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from June 27 to July 1, 2022.

The event will focus on the theme “Harnessing Potato and Sweet Potato Innovations for Resilient and Healthier Agri‑Food Systems.” The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, and development partners to discuss innovations that strengthen food security and promote sustainable agriculture.

APA President Dr. Wilkson Makumba noted that the conference is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, the International Potato Center (CIP), and other partners. He emphasized that the gathering will serve as a platform to share scientific findings, highlight innovation pathways, and strengthen partnerships across Africa’s potato and sweet potato sectors.

Visit African Potato Association | Malawi Conference 2022 Website.

APA Triennial Conference on Potato Innovation

The African Potato Association (APA) hosts its Triennial Conference as a premier gathering for researchers, policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners working across Africa’s potato and sweet potato value chains.

Held every three years, the conference provides a platform to:

• Showcase innovations in breeding, seed systems, and climate‑smart technologies.
• Strengthen partnerships among research institutions, governments, and private enterprises.
• Promote food security by highlighting the role of potato and sweet potato in resilient agri‑food systems.
• Exchange knowledge through keynote presentations, technical sessions, and poster exhibitions.

The conference theme, “Harnessing Potato and Sweet Potato Innovations for Resilient and Healthier Agri‑Food Systems,” reflects the growing importance of these crops in addressing hunger, improving nutrition, and supporting sustainable livelihoods across the continent.

Delegates include scientists, extension workers, policymakers, private sector representatives, and farmer organizations. Together, they explore strategies to scale innovations, strengthen value chains, and ensure that potato and sweet potato contribute to inclusive economic growth and climate resilience.

By bringing diverse stakeholders together, the APA Triennial Conference continues to serve as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and transformation in Africa’s potato sector.