Andean potatoesAndean potatoes are safeguarded in the depths of the Arctic ice.

A number of seed potato varieties of Andean towns, considered lost so far, They have been safeguarded for the future of humanity in the Global Seed Vault located in the Arctic Circle, He has informed the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

"Different varieties of potatoes, one of the most important staple crops in the world, They will remain stored in perpetuity in the depths of Arctic ", FAO announced.

The official ceremony was held varieties in the Global Seed Vault in Svalbard, in Norway, a facility located in the permafrost (ground ice layer) north of the Arctic Circle.

The presentation was attended by Director General of the FAO, Brazilian Jose Graziano da Silva, as well as scientific and delegations from Peru, Costa Rica and Norway.

The deposit has more than 860.000 seeds of food crops worldwide and its operation is jointly funded by the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Global Crop Diversity Trust) -whose mission is to conserve the diversity of crops in the world for food security of present generations and future-, and the government of Norway.

[quote]It is the third most consumed food in the world, it provides support to more than 1000 millions of people.[/quote]

Among the participants also they included representatives of the Andean indigenous communities who collaborated in the creation of the Potato Park, in Cuzco, who placed 750 seeds of this tuber.

Scientists also Agricultural Research Center attended the University of Costa Rica, who provided several wild relatives of the potato collection.

"A humble giant"

The potato, grown worldwide, It is native to the Andes of South America and it is estimated that Andean farmers have cultivated over more than history 2000 varieties in all forms, colors and sizes.

"This admirable Tuber, low in fat and rich in protein, calcium and vitamin C, It is grown on every continent inhabited by humans. It is the third most consumed food in the world, providing support to more than 1000 millions of people", FAO stressed, who called it "a humble giant".

"In a few decades, food systems of our planet will have to feed others 2.000 millions of people. -and produce more food more nutritious- It will become even more difficult as a result of climate change. Agricultural biodiversity is essential to meet these challenges ", Da Silva warned.

Save the Pope

According to the United Nations specialized agency, climate change and diseases such as potato blight threaten this important resource. "In the past decades they have lost many varieties of potatoes", He warned the entity.

As a reply, It was created International Potato Center (CIP), based in Peru, housing collection of potato varieties world's largest and working to preserve and reintroduce the diversity of potatoes in collaboration with local and regional initiatives worldwide.

An international treaty helps to share benefits and to ensure that farmers and researchers have access to the wide variety of seeds and plant genetic material.