Originally published on cgiar.org by:International Potato Center (CIP) on Jun 1, 2006

Two well-known researchers of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru were decorated with the Order of Merit of the Diplomatic Service of Peru José Gregorio Paz Soldán by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Dr. Oscar Maúrtua De Romaña, on 30 May 2006 during celebrations to mark the National Day of the Potato.

Professor Carlos Ochoa Nieves and Dr. Alberto Salas López are both plants taxonomists of international renown, who have practically devoted their lives to research on the potato in Peru.

“It turns out just as the ancient Peruvians adapted and developed this tuber in the Andean world, Peruvian scientists today are continuing with that same objective,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs in his address. “That is to say, they are developing varieties with higher yields and greater resistance to diseases or extreme environmental situations.”

The decoration represents the recognition and the esteem of the Peruvian people for the significant contribution of both scientists to the knowledge, promotion and study of the potato.

Professor Ochoa has devoted more than 40 years to the search for the ancestors of the potato and has discovered almost a third of the known species of wild potatoes. Due to this singular personal crusade, in the scientific circles he is known as the “Indiana Jones of the potato.” He has received several international distinctions and in 2001 he was decorated with the Order of the Sun of Peru.

Dr. Salas has been a researcher at CIP for more than 35 years. He is an expert in identifying wild and cultivated species of potato and has participated in numerous expeditions collecting potato germplasm throughout the Andes, Central and North America. He has discovered six new species of potato and rediscovered another eight that were believed extinct. 

The ceremony was carried out in the headquarters of CIP, which this year was the scene of the principal celebrations carried out in Peru in homage to the esteemed tuber. CIP also organized an exhibition in its grounds to demonstrate the work that the Center does in Peru and the impact it has had in increasing the uses and attributes of the potato and putting this crop at the service of development to helping reduce hunger and poverty.

The almost 150 guests were able to sample a variety of delightful and innovative dishes based on this noble tuber prepared by three of the most prestigious schools of cuisine in Lima. The largest chain of supermarkets in Peru, Wong, also participated in the exhibition with a display of various varieties of native potato that are on sale in its stores, especially the gourmet varieties sold under the trademark of T’ikapapa.

The representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Peru, Dr. Luis Castello, gave by officially initiated the process of design and planning the activities that will be developed in order to prepare for the “International Year of the Potato” that will be held, at the world level, in the year 2008.

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