May 21, 2025 | 10:09 GMT +7
May 21, 2025 | 10:09 GMT +7
Hotline: 0913.378.918
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs holds a news conference on Sept 8, 2023. Photo: Xinhua
While addressing a news conference on Friday, Tang Ke, an official overseeing farm produce trade at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, said that potatoes, which are the fourth widely planted food crop in China, can adapt to a variety of environments and can be planted widely.
Besides, the crop is rich in nutrients and serves as the centerpiece of a sprawling processing industry.
"The properties combined have made it a crucial tool to strengthen national food security and help raise farmers' income," he said.
"Small potatoes have morphed into a massive industry."
Tang, director of the ministry's market and information technology department, took the opportunity to advertise the 14th Dingxi Potato Expo, an annual event held in the namesake city in Gansu province since 2008 by the local government in partnership with the agricultural ministry.
The landlocked city was once home to some of China's most intractable poverty, but has reinvented itself as a major growing area for potatoes and a processing hub for related products.
This year's expo will take place from Sept 15 to 17 to showcase new technologies, products and innovations, and will feature a mix of events such as forums and investment promotion meetings.
He said the event hosted in the less well-off western part of the country is a crucial platform to showcase potato-themed products, conduct trade negotiations and strike business deals with the world.
"It has strongly advanced the healthy development of China's industrial chains centering on potatoes," Tang said.
(CND)
(VAN) Attempts to bring down the price of the Japanese staple have had little effect amid a cost-of-living crisis.
(VAN) Fourth most important food crop in peril as Latin America and Caribbean suffer from slow-onset climate disaster.
(VAN) Shifting market dynamics and the noise around new legislation has propelled Trouw Nutrition’s research around early life nutrition in poultry. Today, it continues to be a key area of research.
(VAN) India is concerned about its food security and the livelihoods of its farmers if more US food imports are allowed.
(VAN) FAO's Director-General emphasises the need to work together to transform agrifood systems.
(VAN) Europe is facing its worst outbreak of foot-and-mouth since the start of the century.
(VAN) The central authorities, in early April, released a 10-year plan for rural vitalization.