PotatoWorld editorial

Preparations for the 13th World Potato Congress are now in full swing. From 26 to 30 October 2026, the international potato sector will meet in Naivasha, in Kenya’s Rift Valley. The organization expects more than a thousand participants from more than sixty countries. This will make the congress not only a meeting place for the global potato chain, but also an important platform for knowledge exchange, trade and innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Registration for the congress is now open. The early bird registration runs until Wednesday 1 July 2026. After that, the regular rates apply. The substantive program is also taking shape. One of the first announced plenary speakers is Dr. Simon Heck, Director General of the International Potato Center (CIP). He will talk about the global role of potatoes in food security and sustainable food systems. There is also a prominent contribution to the conference program from the European Union. From Wageningen University & Research, nematologist expert Dr. Aska Goverse has been announced as a speaker. During the conference, Goverse will discuss the European research project NEM-EMERGE, which focuses on sustainable strategies against harmful nematodes in global potato cultivation. This will also give the Dutch knowledge position in the field of plant health, innovation and sustainable cultivation systems a stage during the conference.

More than lectures

The conference offers visitors much more than just lectures. In addition to networking with international players from trade, research, cultivation and technology, technical tours, field visits and a large-scale Farmer Field Day are on the program. It is precisely the combination of international knowledge and the fast-growing African potato sector that makes a visit to the conference particularly relevant for potato professionals worldwide. ●