b'WORLD POTATO CONGRESSBuilding Global Partnerships Down Under at the World Potato Congress 2024THE WORLD POTATO CONGRESS (WPC) 2024, set to take place in Adelaide, Australia, is not just another conferenceits a pivotal moment for the global potato industry. As we gather to celebrate the versatility and importance of the potato, and the first International Day of the Potato, the WPC is also committed to delivering actionable outcomes on the goals set forth by the Declaration of Dublin: Fostering Potato Partnerships for Food Security, adopted by the World Potato Congress Inc. ELLENA cornerstone of the WPC2024 congress is the KOUWENBERG, executive directorintroduction of a sponsorship program aimed at of the Worldsupporting delegates from developing nations. By Potato Congress sponsoring their attendance, companies, organizations, and individuals can play a vital role in building partnerships. Under the umbrella of the Declaration of Dublin, and thanks to the generosity of the WPC Platinum Partners, WPC Inc. and Potatoes Australia Ltd., Anna Odubi, Chairperson of Zombo District Farmers approximately 20 delegates will have the opportunity toAssociation (ZODFA) and the Ojebu Womens Group in the receive financial support to attend the Australia CongressWest Nile subregion of Uganda.this coming June.Association (ZODFA) and the Ojebu Womens Group in WPC Platinum Partner Contributions the West Nile subregion of Uganda. Here, potatoes are Each year, a portion of the WPC Platinum Sustaininggrown by small scale farmers who are often deprived of Partner Membership fees are earmarked to support thisquality seed, lucrative markets, and storage facilities. At initiative of providing financial support to delegates. Ofthe Dublin Congress, Anna had the opportunity to meet the 20 successful applicants, 10 will be supported as awith potato farmers and processors from Belgium and the result of the generous donations by our Platinum Partnersknowledge gained inspired her to develop potatoes as a including Earth Fresh, McCain Foods, J.R. Simplot, IPMreal agri-business with her fellow farmers. Following the Potato Group, TriCal Group, Snow Valley, Syngenta, WDCongress and together, with the staff of ZODFA, they Potato Ltd., the Prince Edward Island Potato Board, anddesigned a fertilization and pest and disease management Netafim. program aimed at reducing incidences of crop failure. Over 60 applications were received by delegates lookingAttending the Congress gave me the opportunity to talk for financial support to attend the Australia Congresswith others about the challenges in this region, says Odubi.from countries primarily from Asia, Africa, and SouthDr. Nigel Crump, acting chair of Potatoes Australia America. Of the 20 delegates selected, up to $1000 inand Congress host also shares significance of the congress: airfare, free registration and hotel accommodation will allThis event is more than just a gatheringits a platform be provided to support these delegates. for sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and Stories of the delegates who were sponsored by an Irishdriving positive change in the potato industry. We invite Aid initiative to attend the 2022 Congress in Dublin canparticipants from around the world to join us in Adelaide be found on the WPC website under Around the Globe.for meaningful discussions, innovative solutions, and We believe that by supporting delegates fromcontributions towards our shared goals. Attendees can developing nations, we can create a more inclusiveexpect a diverse lineup of keynote presentations, panel and equitable platform for collaboration. We invite alldiscussions, and technical sessions covering various stakeholders to join us in this endeavour and help makeaspects of potato cultivation, processing, marketing, and the World Potato Congress 2024 a truly transformativesustainability.experience for all, says Chad Hutchinson, WPCThe program for the Congress continues to Platinum Partner and Global Director of Potato Research grow as an extra day of industry tours has beenand Market Support with TriCal Group. added in the past few weeks. For more information An example of delegate support to attend in 2022 wasabout the World Potato Congress 2024, please visit Anna Odubi, Chairperson of Zombo District Farmerswww.worldpotatocongress2024.com 50SPUDSMART.COMSpring 2024'