If the news had managed to slip under your radar, let it be known that 2008 is the International Year of the Potato! As declared by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), 2008 is the year in which we can officially celebrate the cultivation, history, processing, trade and consumption of the beloved potato.

History of the Potato
The first potatoes, it is claimed, were harvested around 8000 years ago high up in the Andes mountains and today it has been found that nearly 4300 different types of potato grow in the Andes.

The potato crop was introduced to Europe by the Spaniards in the 1500s, who had invaded Peru and found this valuable treasure. Today, the potato crop is grown all over the world and is the world's fourth most cultivated crop, after maize, wheat and rice. 320 million tonnes were harvested in 2007 alone, which China growing the most potatoes.

Potato Images
A photo competition was run by the FAO this year to find the best images relating to this vital crop. Sponsored by Nikon Europe and Irfe Colore Srl, the competition judged both professional and amateur photographers' work. The professional class winner was Peruvian Eitan Abramovich Samesas and the amateur, Xi Huang from China. The contestants all submitted photo 'stories' of four to eight images which depicted a story or a journey in life of the potato.

Worldwide Events
From September to December of this year a range of events are happening across the world from Slovenia to China, and Belarus to the Ivory Coast. The Potato Europe 2008 festival was held on 10th - 11th September in Villers-Saint-Christope in northern France and and featured workshops on soil conservation, crop optimisation and sustainability. Meanwhile, the United States launched a potato-shaped hot air balloon during the Spokane ValleyFest in Washington State, which ran from 19th to 21st September.

Details on all upcoming events to celebrate the Year of the Potato can be found at : http://www.potato2008.org/