James Hutton Institute to Host ‘Potato – The Path to a Bright Future’ Webinar on International Day of Potato

The James Hutton Institute will host a webinar on 30 May, UN’s International Day of Potato, exploring UK potato production challenges and opportunities. Presented by Professor Ingo Hein, Head of Potato Genetics at the Hutton and a Professor of Crop Genetics at the University of Dundee. 

Professor Ingo Hein, Head of Potato Genetics at the James Hutton Institute and Professor of Crop Genetics at the University of Dundee:

"Potato is a globally significant crop that provides sustenance for billions of people worldwide and can play a vital role in addressing the issue of food security."

"Our six speakers will look to the future of the industry and the challenges posed by new pests and diseases, the need for sustainability and resilience, the changing dynamics in the world potato market and the regulatory environment."

The webinar has been arranged by the National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC), a partnership dedicated to finding scientific solutions to the challenges facing the potato industry. NPIC will draw on the Hutton’s extensive expertise in delivering commercially successful varieties for major breeding companies to develop sustainable, climate resilient production systems using precision agri-tech tools such as robots, drones and below ground phenotyping as well as AI and modelling to control disease, manage waste and contribute to net zero farming systems.

Its new facilities will enable much faster production of new cultivars integrating key traits to address climate change, disease and quality issues, allowing the full genetic gain of potato to be realised.

‘Potato – the path to a bright future’ will examine global production and what that means for the UK and beyond, look at how marker-assisted breeding is helping to fast-track new disease-resistant varieties and catch up on all the latest opportunities in gene editing.

There will also be the chance to hear about enabling regenerative agriculture in potato cultivations, pest management strategies and Fight Against Blight and related monitoring tools.

Potato – the Path to a Bright Future” — Join the James Hutton Institute’s online webinar on 30 May 2025 to explore the future of UK potato production, innovation, and sustainability.