Key role of potatoes on the menu

The global potato market is thought to be worth at least £3bn

Delegates from around the world are gathering in Scotland to discuss the key role of potatoes and their future.

A field event is being held at the Scottish Crop Research Institute (SCRI) in Invergowrie, Tayside, which is studying ways to improve the plant.

On Friday, a conference marking the UN's International Year of the Potato also takes place in Dundee.

Delegates from China, Peru, Russia, New Zealand and Australia will discuss developments in the £3bn industry.

The SCRI is looking into a number of areas of potato development.

Staff are studying genes to try to create new improved varieties which taste better. They are also studying ways to control potato diseases and produce plants which have a resistance.

The institute's varieties are grown in several countries including Egypt, Africa and India.

People want to eat potatoes, they find it very convenient, particularly in the form of chips and crisps Prof Peter Gregory SCRI

Professor Peter Gregory, chief executive of the SCRI, said the potato was a truly global phenomenon.

"It's moved from its origins in the Andes, in particular Peru and Bolivia, and it's moved across the world," he said.

"And the reason it's done that is because it's adaptable and it has adapted to a wide range of climates.

"The focus is on it at the moment because, particularly in developing countries, it's one of those crops that people can grow in the countryside and sell in the cities for cash.

"People want to eat potatoes, they find it very convenient, particularly in the form of chips and crisps and so on - snack foods."

Prof Gregory added that the potato industry in Scotland was worth several hundreds of millions of pounds.

The money is brought in by the varieties that people eat and also because the country produces high quality seed potatoes which sell at a good price on the international markets.