The potato has responded well to research, and plant breeding continues to result in significant improvements in the crop, especially for developing countries. Virology research in the potato has advanced greatly, and the safe movement of germplasm is now practical. Still, the adoption of improved potato varieties is often delayed by the absence of local seed or multiplication systems. Statistics Potato production is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Approximately 30 percent of the world s potato crop is currently produced in developing countries, mainly by small-scale farmers.
China is the largest producer.
In developing countries, annual production has grown from 30 million tons in the early 1960s to its current level of 85 million tons. How it is used Potatoes provide more edible food annually than the combined world output of fish and meat. Potatoes are increasingly consumed in the form of processed foods such as frozen French fries and potato chips. Important industrial uses include processing and manufacturing of starch and alcohol. The nutrient value of potatoes, including Vitamin C, is high.