Papua New Guinea look to Peru for help with potato

Papua New Guinea is looking to Peru, in South America, for assistance in drought resistant potatoes that can withstand future extreme weather conditions.

Prime Minister Peter O'Neill began initial discussions with the President of Peru, Dr. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, on cooperation between the two countries, on the fringes of the APEC Leaders' summit over the weekend.

Mr. O'Neill says Peru is the birthplace of potato, and Peruvians take a special interest in researching better varieties of potato.
He says officials from the two countries will engage with the International Potato Institute in Peru, and consider options to develop varieties better suited for Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister says with increased extreme weather brought about by climate change, PNG expects more weather events such as droughts and increased rainfall, that can destroy crops in the coming years.

Mr. O'Neill says by working together, Peruvian and Papua New Guinean researchers, have the opportunity to enhance the country's food security, and ultimately save lives. Photo source: pngall.com