29 January, 2008

Announcing: Ode to Potato

The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of the Potato (IYP) by United Nations to raise awareness of Solanum Tuberosum. IYP was officially launched on 18th October, 2007. Did you know that the plastic bag of humble potatoes you casually pick up at the local supermarket is in fact vital food source for hundreds of millions of people in the developing world? Almost 213 million tonnes of potato are grown to eat every year from which half of it was plucked from the soils of developing countries, making it the fourth most important food crop in the world preceded by Rice, Wheat & Maize. Potato output has grown double in the past fifteen years and is expected to double again by 2020. This unassuming tuber is playing a strong role in developing countries due to the fact that it is more nutritious and it can grow very quickly on less land even in harsher climates than any major crop. In a right sense this humble Potato has become a Global Crop.


Image Source: IYP

According to the International Year of the Potato (IYP), "The celebration of the International Year of the Potato (IYP) will raise awareness of the importance of the potato - and of agriculture in general - in addressing issues of global concern, including hunger, poverty and threats to the environment."


Mission Statement
The mission of the International Year of the Potato is to increase awareness of the importance of the potato as a food in developing nations, and promote research and development of potato-based systems as a means of contributing to achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.


Image Source: IYP

IYP 2008: Challenges and opportunities
The International Year of Potato aims at raising the profile of this globally important food crop and commodity, giving emphasis to its biological and nutritional attributes, and thus promoting its production, processing, consumption, marketing and trade. Celebration of IYP 2008 is an opportunity to make a valid and effective contribution towards meeting the Millennium Development Goals:
  • Food Security - improving access to safe and nutritious food
  • Poverty alleviation
  • Sustainable use of biodiversity
  • Sustainable intensification of potato-based farming systems
IYP Logo
The logo of the International Year of Potato was created by Italian graphic designer Giancarlo de Pol. The main graphic elements - above, a bowl with harvested potatoes and below, in the earth, a golden tuber - symbolize the intimate link between humanity and agriculture. The slogan, "Hidden treasure", highlights the often overlooked importance of the potato for rural people, the economy and global food security. The IYP logo is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.


Because of the importance of this underestimated tuber, I have decided to host an event noting the key role of the potato as a staple food in the diet of the world’s population. I am hoping that our strong food blogger community will get together and increase the awareness of International Year of the Potato (IYP). Hence I invite you to participate in this one-off event - “Ode to Potato”.

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The Guidelines:

1. Potato recipes in Indian and International cuisine are plenty. Mashed, boiled, grilled, fried, sautéed; you are spoiled for choices. Simple everyday potato recipes are most welcomed but it would be really interesting to try something new, something that you have bookmarked from your fellow blogger and wanting to try.
2. Any information and pictures of Potato you want to share are welcome.
3. Please remember that this is a fun event and don’t stress yourself if you are unable to participate. No one is gonna chase you with broom stick :) Send your entries if you are cooking up something in your kitchen and think it could be an entry to this event.
4. Feel free to use the logo in your post or on blog sidebar and please don’t forget to link back to this post. 2008 being a international year of the potato, you are welcome to use this logo whenever you post any potato dish but do link back to this post.
5. Once you have posted your recipe with a link back to this post, send your entries by March 15, 2008 to sia[at]monsoonspice[dot]com with the subject line ‘Ode to Potato’. Don’t forget to include your name, your blog’s name, the permalink of the entry, and picture of your recipe in your email. Don’t worry about resizing the image.
6. If you don’t have a blog but wish to participate in this event, send your entries with a picture, your name and recipe to sia[at]monsoonspice[dot]com before the deadline. I will post the recipes with your picture in my blog and include it in the round-up.
7. I will post the round-up by the end of March 08.

Please note that, I may not be able to leave comment in your blog due to time constraint but I’ll try to respond to your emails within 3 days. Please go through the guidelines carefully and mail me your entries. I'll not include your entries in the round-up unless I get them through emails as it's not feasible for me to check individual blogs and pick your entries. If you don’t get reply to your mail within 3 days, please send me the entries again as there is a high chance of your mail being sent to my spam folder.
Thank you friends. I am hoping to see grand round-up of this humble tuber:)

Cheers
Sia

Update:

Looks like it’s gonna rain potato this season in blogsphere. Our fellow blogger Dhivya of Culinary Bazaar is also hosting an event- The Potato Fe(a)st. Yup, another Potato event. So hop in all you wonderful foodies and let’s celebrate double dose of Potato;)

56 comments:

  1. Sia, Is there a soul that does not like potato. I doubt. Ode to Potato a perfect event for this humble tasty and sometimes abused vegetable.

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  2. that's great! will participate for sure. Potato is my fav.

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  3. How about sweet potatoes? They should get their well-deserved recognition too.

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  4. Count me in Sia. Would luv to participate even if there is none behind me with a broom-stick in hand ;)

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  5. How fun Sups! Love the title "Ode to Potato" I will most definitely participate! Its gonna be raining potatoes in my home this month :-) Good luck cause u're going to have soooooooo many participants!
    Hugs
    Latha

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  6. Wow! I just blogged about a potato stir fry. and saw your event. I will send you email soon. Thanks!

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  7. Nice one Sia! You'll have all bloggers send u entry as its a vegetable that most of us routinely cook.. simple or complicated.. there will be an entry or more from me :-)

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  8. it's aloooooooo time baby :)

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  9. Sup, will definitely try to contribute :-)

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  10. Count me in! I love potatoes as much as I love rice :)

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  11. Ohh!! Nice one... love to make varities of Potato dishes.

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  12. Oh!! Nice one... Love to make varities of potato dishes.

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  13. Sia, Hmm ode to potato, can never eat aloo with out feeling guilty.
    since you have given ample time for the round up, will come up with something sure.

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  14. Sia,
    thats so thoughtful to organize this.
    Just now be ready to handle ample of entries.... your blog is going to have flood with potatoes :)) . count me in .

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  15. lovely idea, Sia. I will definitely send something in :)

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  16. Sia...thats a nice event...will surely send in...more than one is ok with you, right??...thats a cute logo you have..:D..

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  17. What a coincidence!! I just posted a potato recipe today.... Will send it across to you right away! Thanx for hosting :)

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  18. Sakkathagi ide event topic. Too many ideas poping up for potato. The logo is very cute and LOL on that broom stick thing...

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  19. Hey thats a great event Sia. This will surely give me a chance to try some great recipes I have on potatoe with me for quite some time. Count me in for this great job.....Potatoes are a staple for us, n I love them anyways....

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  20. Potato is a staple in my household...along with onions and tomatoes. Will try and cook up something new.

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  21. @all,

    OMG!!! now i am having second thoughts;) just kidding. i am really glad to see this kind of response:)

    now let me reply to some of ur queries.
    1. yes, u can send more than one entry per blog. more the merrier ;)
    2. u can also include sweet potato. i can't see anyone objecting to that.

    if you have any other queries please responde by leaving a commnet here. thank you once again for your support and love:)

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  22. Delicious idea, Sia! :)

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  23. Wow, what a coincidence, Dhivya @Culinary Bazaar is organising a similar event - The Potato Fe(a)st..:D Count me too Sia. Nice Logo!

    ~ Siri

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  24. Sup
    You know what, everyone knows how much i adore potatoes and how frequently i cook them every week so i might just have a few specially whipped up for u dear!!

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  25. DK just announced the same too and I am posting one tomorrow!!Two in one. YAY!:))
    Yeah, no more Wednesday only posts but anytime posts. I HAVE A MIND OF STEEL NOW!!!Hahahhaha!!
    Please do comment in FH, which is my main blog. Aroma, smaroma!!:D
    Congratulations on hosting your first event, enjoy. You should make it permanent "International Food Festival" and choose a country every two months. I would love to cook World cuisne ALA RCI!!

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  26. Et tu Sia??!! :D Count me in, tho' you'll have to remind me later! ;)

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  27. hmmm..now why would you say that you will not chase us with a broomstick..have you envisioned it :D..and tataoes and me not participate..never! madam tato will be arriving at ur doorstep soon!!

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  28. Sea dear, I have already posted the recipe! I will send you the recipes and also add the logo in my post!

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  29. Count me in Sia... I love potatoes too.. who doesn't? :)

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  30. Siacount me in. We do lot of time potato dishes.
    And this is for sure one event there won't be any stress.

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  31. I'd love to participate in this. Looking forward to come up with something new.

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  32. Potatoes are the toor dal of my pantry... what I mean is that they are indispensable. :-). I cannot believe that I have not done a single potato post so far!

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  33. Yes Sia, What would happen to human race without thsi saviour 'Potatoe'....I'll send in my entry...

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  34. wow Sia! You know I am excited about this theme too since I am doing the same! I agree! Great minds think alike!

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  35. wow!! looks like I'm late but I'll join everyone si saying "This is great!!" I've seen so many blogs hosting potato event this month, I'm gonna cook them everyday!!:)

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  36. Sounds great sia..will surely participate

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  37. Wow.. shall surely participate in ur event of Potato.. !! Very simple and easy event :)

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  38. @all,
    I am really excited to see so many fellow blogger’s interest and love towards this humble tuber. I will look forward to all your wonderful entries with lovely pictures. Thank you dear friends.

    cheers
    Sia

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  39. I am all set to participate!! Thanks for the great theme Sia!

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  40. Hi Sia, Wow, I did not know that..Potato is usually my only serving of veggie :)

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  41. Hey, great event sups... I am in, these are my favorite "vegetables" :D

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  42. I love this tuber... but don't make it quite as often... I have stuff stuck in my drafts and I'll post them all now :-)

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  43. Novice in the foodie blogging world but full throttle participation in most of the amazing events. Ode to potatoes is an inspiring event and I cant wait to see what I can come up with. Thanks for hosting!!

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  44. Sia,
    I just sent you my entry for the potato event. Please check your spam folder.:-)

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  45. hi Sia!! totally new to the blogosphere,but already excited with so many events happening around me.do count me in and thanx for dropping a welcoming line in my blog...you made my day :)).

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  46. hi sia
    Iam a first timer to your blog and an excellent one too ,will send the entry soon

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  47. Hi Sia..waiting for the roundup..Hope to get a numerous number of recipes with potato..

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  48. hi sia...first timer to here and have sent across an entry do let me once u receive it...njoy...

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  49. Wicked idea! I can see many potates being thrown at you...

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  50. Hey Sia,great event.I just sent you my entry.Hope you received it.

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  51. Sia, my first time in Participating for an event, an email has been sent,,chk ur SPAM!! :D Pls let me kno w if any inputs r missing!

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  52. wonderful....I love potato's a lot....
    life with out a potato is un-imaginable... whether it is chips or stuffed parota..
    every where potato plays a vital part...
    also potato bonda..my most favourite of all...
    good work dear....

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  53. With the proverbial broomstick chasing me all the time, I'd better post something soon. I love spuds!! My oven baked fries didn
    t reach piucture stage coz the kids got to them first...:0(...so I'll do another something. Cheers

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  54. Hey Sia...found my lost spuds; pictures aren't spectacular but the meal was very enjoyable! Just about to mail you. Ciao

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  55. Hey sia, just sent you an email of the recipe for the event! Thanks for hosting

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Namaste! I am Sia and welcome to Monsoon Spice, my virtual home. Thank you for all your comments, inputs and feedback. I really appreciate the valuable time you spent browsing through my recipe repertoire.

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