ABSTRACT
Chapter 5 deals with potato, the world’s number one non-grain food commodity and third most important food crop in the world after rice and wheat in terms of human consumption. Potato-based cropping systems present increasingly important opportunities for smallholders and the rural poor, not only, in terms of food and nutrition security but also poverty alleviation. The chapter provides a literature review of major challenges associated with potato production. Some recommendations to address the challenges include, cost effective soil management measures (e.g. zero tillage), labour-saving techniques and crop management (e.g. IPM options) to increase productivity while reducing input costs and minimizing environmental impact, improved post-harvest handling and marketing, and gender integration in future strategies for sustainable intensification of potato production. The chapter presents in detail the innovative case of no-tillage potato production in rice-based landscapes from Vietnam implemented through the “Save and Grow” method where farmers are trained through Farmer Field Schools.
