Tanzania: Potato eaters reveals innovative potato recipes
Potato is one of the most five important crops in the world. The Netherlands is the world’s major supplier of the certified seed potatoes. In Tanzania, The Netherlands has been an important stakeholder in promoting and developing the production and use of the potato crop. So far, 12 Dutch potatoes varieties are registered for commercial use. Because of the expertise in the potato sector, the National Potato Day is one of the important days for the Netherlands.
The International Potato Day
International Potato Day is yearly celebrated on August 19. For centuries, potatoes are the favorite item of diets everywhere in the world. Potato lovers are found in massive numbers, and that primarily includes children. With a soft, smooth nature, potatoes can be eaten in different forms like potato chips, mashed potatoes, gratin, baked potatoes, potato salad, home fries, potato cake, potato wedges, potato salads, soups and the list extends in number. Potatoes are not only savory, but they also contain high levels of vital vitamins and minerals that include vitamin C, iron, and potassium. Preparing your favorite potato recipe can be a way to celebrate the International Potato Day. The registered potato varieties give the possibilities to prepare the dish of your choice with the rightful variety.
The Potato Challenge
A week towards the National Potato Day, the Embassy launched a Potato Recipe Challenge. The challenge aimed at promoting the consumption of potatoes and also showed consumers different recipes that this wonderful crop can make. With 100% participation from the youth, about 80 videos of innovative potato dishes were shared tagging the Embassy social media accounts with #potatorecipechallenge and #internationalpotatoday. The winning dishes were selected based on creativity, originality and presentation.
On 19 August, to mark the celebration of the International Potato Day, the top 3 winners of the potato challenge were announced and invited to the Embassy for awards.
Yummy Yummy - impressions of the different dishes
About the Winners
The Potato Challenge winners were Ms. Elicie Lekasio, Ms. Renatha Edgar and Ms. Sophia Abeid. Ms. Lekasio and Ms. Edgar originate from World Vegetable Center, with horticultural background and also part of the Building Better Tomorrow - Youth Agriculture Initiative (BBT- YAI) from the Tanzania Ministry of Agriculture. Ms. Abeid originates from Affifs Kitchen.
The Embassy is grateful for all the contributions and active participation received through this challenge. Ms. Lekasio commended the Embassy for coming up with the challenge as it not only helped her improve knowledge on making several dishes of the crop, but also it has helped many other Tanzanians to understand the health and economic importance of potatoes.
Message from the Ambassador of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is the world’s major supplier of certified seed potatoes, so through that experience, the Embassy in Tanzania has had strong strategies to ensure that the crop is produced and used in abundance to promote its contribution to the economy.
With the availability of improved Dutch potato seed varieties, farmers now have an opportunity to increase efficiency in farming which will trigger more investments and trade. For the food chain gives right varieties for cooking and processing . The Ambassador urged youth to prioritize and take up potato farming due to its numerous benefits as well as the growing demand locally and in the international market.
Useful links
- Potato dish recipe from Elice Lekasio
- Potato dish recipe from Renatha Edgar
- Potato dish recipe from Sophia Abeid
- Access to quality seed for sustainable farming
- EAT: FRESH a Farmers’ Roadmap of Expanding Successful Horticulture
- Cost of Doing Business in Agriculture in Tanzania
More information
For more information about the international potato days and upcoming agricultural events please contact Agricultural team via dar-lnv@minbuza.nl
The Embassy provides regular updates on developments in the agriculture sector. To receive the updates follow us on our Twitter account @NLAgriTanzania and subscribe to our newsletter by sending an email to dar-lnv@minbuza.nl.