Chile (Los Lagos): They are promoting the creation of a National Potato Day

The Innovation Commission of the Los Lagos Regional Council held a meeting with the regional presidential delegate, Cristián Palma, to advance a proposal to officially establish a National Potato Day. This initiative aims to highlight the historical, cultural, productive, and genetic importance of this tuber for both the region and the country.

The idea originated as a recognition of the crucial role played by the Los Lagos region, distinguished not only as one of the main potato producers in Chile, but also as the cradle of a remarkable genetic diversity of the crop, admired globally.

Eduardo Parada, president of the Regional Council’s Innovation Commission, stated that the project’s objective is to give greater prominence to a flagship product of the region. He explained that although May 30th is International Potato Day, the region has an outstanding commitment to this staple food. Los Lagos has historically been a pillar of potato production and boasts internationally recognized genetic diversity. In this sense, the proposal seeks to elevate this productive activity by adding value to it.

Parada also emphasized that this effort aims to boost the development of the regional agribusiness sector. Among the proposed measures are stabilizing product prices, encouraging investment in processing plants, and promoting tools such as the designation of origin for local varieties, specifically the renowned Chiloé potatoes, which boast over 300 varieties. He further stressed that “innovation must be present in both traditional industries and those activities economically rooted in the territory.”

The regional leader stated that officially establishing this date would be an important symbolic step forward in raising awareness and promoting potato cultivation nationwide. According to Parada, it would not entail additional costs and would serve as formal recognition of the significant contribution potatoes have made to both regional and national development.

For his part, Cristián Palma expressed his support for the initiative and assured that he would work with the Ministry of Agriculture to make it viable. “It was a pleasure to receive the representatives of the Innovation Commission to discuss proposals related to our agribusiness, specifically potato production, an essential food in the Chilean and global diet,” the official commented.

Palma also highlighted the historical and productive relevance of the crop in Los Lagos within the global context, describing this proposal as appropriate and promising to manage its progress with the corresponding authorities.

The project will continue to be developed jointly by the Regional Council, the Regional Presidential Delegation, and other entities related to the agricultural sector. The goal is to garner institutional support and thus achieve official recognition of National Potato Day. This will allow for a renewed appreciation of the Los Lagos Region’s contribution to Chile’s food and agricultural heritage.