b'WORLD POTATO CONGRESSAre You Planning to Attend the World Potato Congress in Australia in June?WHEN WE THINK OF Australia, there may not be an immediate association for North Americans concerning potatoes. However to the Australians, their thriving Australian potato industry, with its distinctive growing regions, tells a different story. The World Potato Congress, slated for June 23 to 26, 2024, in Adelaide, Australia, is set to host a global gathering of over 1,000 participants, offering an engaging agenda covering every aspect of the potato supply chain. ELLENAustralias potato cultivation spans diverse markets, KOUWENBERG, executive directoraddressing the fresh table market, processing for french fry of the Worldand crisping and the certified seed market. This highlights Potato Congress the adaptability of the Australian potato industry to meetHarvesting potatoes in Gippsland, Victoria in Australia. varied consumer needs and industry demands. PHOTO: WAYNE TYMENSENSouth Australia, where the 12th World Potato Congress will be held, contributes 38 per cent of Australias total potato production, with a significant portion allocated to processing. Regionalization in production is evident, with Kangaroo Island focusing on seed production, the Adelaide Plains, Mallee and the Riverland regions specializing in fresh potatoes and the Southeast (Mount Gambier region) focusing on processing and certified seed potatoes.Victoria has a rich history of potato production, including a large production of certified seed potatoes, processing, and crisping production. Tasmania, the island state, contributes 24 per cent of Australias potato production, mainly for the processing sector. Biosecurity policies restrict the entry of fresh potato tubers into Tasmania to mitigate pest and disease risks.A potato field in Tasmania in Austrialias south, which has a Western Australia, surrounded by seas and deserts,cool climate and loamy soils.PHOTO: TIM WALKERremains geographically isolated, shielding it from many significant pests and diseases affecting potatoes. One post-Congress tour stop will feature a visit with Australias considerable level of biosecurity, attributedPeter Cooper, a certified seed potato grower on Kangaroo to its remote geographic isolation and stringentIsland, producing approximately 1,500 tons of seed quarantine protocols, contributes to the nationspotatoes annually, primarily for fresh market growers on freedom from numerous biosecurity pests and diseasesthe Adelaide Plains, the Mallee and the Riverland.such as Colorado potato beetle and ring rot to name aBack on the mainland, congress tours will guide few. Strict entry conditions into the country, includingdelegates through Mitolo Farms, a major potato producer the restriction of importing only potato tissue cultureand packer, picturesque winery regions, and globally material as planting material, emphasize the role ofacclaimed research facilities at SARDI. The Congress biosecurity measures in safeguarding the countrysand Trade Show at the Adelaide Convention Centre will agricultural and ecological environments. embrace the theme Old World Meets New, taking place Attendees of the World Potato Congress in will have thein a venue recognized as the worlds first convention opportunity to explore various regions through organizedcentre to achieve EarthChecks Master certification for tours, including a visit to Kangaroo Island. The island,sustainable practices.known for its natural beauty with one-third reserved asIn addition to the main events, extra activities include conservation and national parks, has become a key playerPartner Programming activities during the Congress, in producing high-quality, disease-free early-generationpost-Congress field tours and interspersed opportunities to potato seed. experience authentic Australian culture and hospitality. 48SPUDSMART.COMWinter 2024'