News on Energy and Environment

McCain Foods India launched its first Regenerative Agriculture Demonstration Farm in Sabarkantha, Gujarat, on World Environment Day to promote soil health, biodiversity, and water efficiency, supporting its goal of 100% regenerative farming by 2030.

A study reveals that potatoes originated from a hybridisation event 9 million years ago in the Andes, when tomato ancestors crossed with Etuberosum plants. This allowed potatoes to form tubers, leading to the diverse species we rely on today.

Regulations on food safety, labour scarcity, and environmental pressures are driving the need for smarter, more sustainable solutions. Waste doesn’t just affect visual quality. It disrupts automation, clogs up machines, and costs money. 

WPC President Peter VanderZaag praised Potatoes South Africa’s innovation-driven, grower-owned model during the 2025 Innovation Symposium, highlighting its research, transformation efforts, and global relevance ahead of WPC 2026 in Kenya.

FoodTech Forum 2025 brought together industry experts, customers, and partners for three weeks of live demos and discussions. Heat and Control® hosted sessions focused on innovative, sustainable solutions shaping the future of food processing.

Gov. Mills and UMaine leaders reopened the modernized Aroostook Farm after a USD 3 Million upgrade, boosting Maine’s potato research with advanced tech to speed new variety development like the Caribou Russet, supporting jobs and the agri-economy.

Aberystwyth University leads a cross-border AI project to combat potato late blight, a disease causing €4B in losses annually. The DeepDetect app will help farmers detect infections early, cutting pesticide use and boosting sustainable farming.

Lawmakers toured Aroostook County to explore Maine’s potato industry, seeing innovative tech and learning how policy affects farming. The trip aimed to boost understanding of agricultural challenges and support.

PotatoEurope 2025, set for 3–4 Sept in Lelystad, Netherlands, showcases live machinery demos, smart agri-tech, and innovations in potato farming. With 300+ exhibitors and 15,000 visitors, it’s the premier hub to innovate, network, and grow.

Bem Brasil optimized logistics with Mecalux automation, boosting frozen food storage to 550,000+ tons/year. Two new warehouses improved efficiency, traceability, and cut waste.

HyFun Foods celebrates World French Fries Day by spotlighting Indian farmers and its global potato exports, showcasing innovation, sustainability, and farmer-first growth from Gujarat to 40+ countries.

En el Valle de los Pericos las bajas temperaturas ocasionaron daños en la producción de papa, zapallito, chaucha y frutilla

Royal Avebe and TNO are pioneering 3D food printing using potato starch to create plant-based meat alternatives. Discover how this sustainable innovation could transform global food production and improve food security worldwide.

Europatat Congress 2025 in Lille brought together Europe’s potato leaders to tackle challenges like climate change, shifting consumption, and global trade. With optimism, speakers stressed innovation, sustainability, and adapting to consumer demands.

Open Farm Sunday 2025 saw a 20% rise in host farms, welcoming 200,000 visitors. The event strengthened public connections to farming, highlighted sustainability, and inspired youth interest in agriculture. Next year’s event is on 7th June 2026.

Goodrich Cereals will showcase innovative potato products, including flavored fries and appetizers, at SIAL Malaysia 2025 (Booth 3K144). With a focus on quality and sustainability, the company continues to lead in global potato processing.

Potatoes in Practice, the UK’s biggest field potato event, is on 7 August at Balruddery Farm. Hosted by James Hutton Institute, it brings growers, researchers, and industry leaders together to share innovations and advance the potato sector.

Robots in potato farming help ease labor shortages, cut costs, and boost yields by automating tasks like planting and harvesting. Paired with smart tools like crop monitoring, they improve efficiency, reduce waste, and support sustainable farming.