On 29th May 2026, Dr. Dinah Borus represented the National Potato Council of Kenya (NPCK) at the International Day of Potato (IDP) 2026 celebrations held in 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐮, 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐨. The event, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), brought together over 300 potato stakeholders from across the country and partner organizations, including government representatives, research institutions, development partners, farmer associations, and the private sector. It was held under the theme “𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒈𝒓𝒐𝒘, 𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅𝒔 𝒇𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒉” highlighting the critical role of potatoes in food security, nutrition, and rural development.

During the celebrations, Dr. Dinah Borus, who also serves as International Advisor for Africa to the World Potato Congress Inc. and a member of the Local Organizing Committee for the upcoming World Potato Congress 2026 in Kenya, actively contributed to the discussions and knowledge sharing sessions. In her presentation titled “𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒆𝒔 – 𝒘𝒉𝒚 𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒂,” she highlighted the significant untapped potential of the potato sector in Africa, noting that production could be doubled without increasing land under cultivation, with innovation and improved seed systems playing a central role.

She further showcased Kenya’s preparations to host the 13th World Potato Congress 2026 in Naivasha and extended an invitation to stakeholders from Lesotho and other partner countries to participate. Her remarks emphasized the importance of strong partnerships, value chain transformation, and the role of potatoes in advancing food security, nutrition, and rural livelihoods across the continent.

The 2026 International Day of Potato celebrations in Maseru formed part of a growing global movement to reposition the potato as a strategic crop for development. The event, held at the Convention Centre in Maseru, was attended by high-level delegates including the Chinese Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, representatives from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), a delegation from the Government of Peru, the International Potato Center (CIP), the World Potato Congress Inc., policy makers, researchers, farmer organizations, and private sector actors.

Opening the ceremony, Hon. Selibe Mochoboroane, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, delivered a powerful message on food sovereignty and national resilience. He emphasized that a nation’s ability to feed itself is central to stability, warning that food insecurity undermines development and peace.

“Show me a nation that cannot feed itself and I will show you a nation on the brink of chaos,” he stated, underscoring the strategic importance of potatoes in strengthening food systems.

The Minister further noted that potatoes are not only a staple crop but a powerful driver of rural transformation, particularly for women and youth. He reaffirmed government commitment to strengthening seed systems, expanding access to improved and biofortified varieties, and advancing efforts toward national potato self-sufficiency by 2030 through targeted value chain transformation.

The celebrations, held under the theme “Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish,” showcased the potato as a key pillar for food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods. The event was enriched by cultural performances from Sotho schoolchildren, including a moving poem and traditional Sesotho dance that reflected the deep cultural connection between agriculture and community life.

A major highlight was the exhibition of innovative potato-based products developed by farmers and entrepreneurs. These included value-added food products such as potato-enriched porridge, as well as non-food innovations like potato-based soap and body lotion, demonstrating the expanding industrial potential of the crop beyond traditional consumption.

The event also carried strong global significance, with World Potato Congress Inc. highlighting the journey of the potato across continents and its increasing relevance in Sub-Saharan Africa. The platform reinforced the need for innovation-driven agricultural systems capable of meeting growing food demand.

In a virtual address, Dr. QU Dongyu, Director-General of FAO, commended the Kingdom of Lesotho for prioritizing the potato value chain under the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. He emphasized the importance of innovation, partnerships, and investment in transforming agrifood systems.

Dr. Borus also delivered a compelling case for innovation-led growth in Africa’s potato sector. Drawing on FAOSTAT data, she noted that Africa produced approximately 34 million tonnes of potatoes in 2024, representing less than 10 percent of global production of about 390 million tonnes. She stressed that this gap reflects a major opportunity for Africa to shift from low productivity systems to innovation-driven agricultural transformation.

“It is time for Africa to leverage innovation, not land,” she said, calling for stronger investment in research, quality seed systems, and inclusive value chains.

Reflecting on the International Year of Women Farmers 2026, she highlighted the transformative role of women in the potato sector, sharing examples of how access to inputs, training, and markets has improved livelihoods and strengthened communities.

“When women grow potatoes, they flourish. When women flourish, their communities flourish,” she noted. This message was later expanded by stakeholders to a more inclusive reflection: “When men plough the land and women grow potatoes, livelihoods flourish. When livelihoods flourish, nations flourish.”

At the conclusion of her presentation, Dr. Borus strongly promoted the upcoming 13th World Potato Congress, scheduled for 26–30 October 2026 in Naivasha, Kenya, extending an invitation to stakeholders from Lesotho and across the region. The response was highly encouraging, with the Hon. Minister and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture expressing interest in attending, alongside numerous stakeholders from research institutions, farmer associations, and the private sector.

In his remarks, FAO Director-General Dr. QU Dongyu applauded Lesotho’s commitment to the potato sector, noting its participation in FAO’s OCOP programme as a model for commodity-focused agricultural transformation.

Special appreciation was extended to Ms. Makiko Taguchi and her team at FAO Headquarters for their excellent coordination of the event, logistical support, and facilitation of speaking opportunities for key partners, including the World Potato Congress Inc.

Overall, the International Day of Potato 2026 celebrations in Maseru provided a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, partnership building, and policy dialogue. The event not only reinforced the potato’s importance in addressing food security and rural development but also strengthened momentum toward the World Potato Congress 2026 in Kenya, positioning Africa more prominently in the global potato agenda.