More than 1,000 delegates from over 60 countries are in in Ireland for the 11th international World Potato Congress.
The three-day event, which was officially opened by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, will feature presentations and discussions in the RDS on issues affecting potatoes, and their use around the world, from global industry speakers.
Mr McConalogue said Ireland is synonymous with the potato, which is "part of our history, our very identity. No one food or item has left such an indelible mark on the identity of a people than the potato has done in Ireland."
Delegates will discuss the ongoing development of the potato business, new research on potato breeds and use, potato nutrition, and the contribution of tubers to food security.
Among the speakers will be EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, and the head of the United Nations' global food security agency, Dr Qu Dongyu.
The event is being hosted by the Irish Potato Federation, and is the first time the global congress has taken place in person since 2018.
During the congress, delegates will get to visit a number of potato farms, with the congress ending at an event at Bord Bia's bloom festival.
Delegates from around the globe are gathering in Dublin to celebrate the nation's favourite vegetable - the potato. With the World Potato Congress in town, here are five things you might not know about the beloved spud 🥔🥔🥔🥔🥔 pic.twitter.com/ORiHt3r0Ih
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) May 30, 2022
