Potato’s potential to feed Africa in era of climate change

Semagn-Asredie Kolech sees a lot of potential in the potato. The doctoral candidate in the field of horticulture shuttles between Ethiopia and Ithaca to examine and research efficient agricultural practices in the shadow of climate change, and he believes the tuber is a good strategy crop for global warming. It has a short growing season, it offers higher yields, it’s less susceptible to hail damage, and you can grow 40 tons per hectare, compared to the 10 ton yield commonly captured from wheat and corn. Five other faculty members – David Wolfe, horticulture; Donald Halseth, horticulture; Walter DeJong, plant breeding and genetics; Fouad Makki, development sociology; and Tammo Steenhuis, biological and environmental engineering - will travel with Kolech to Ethiopia this summer to meet with potential government and nongovernmental collaborators as part of a project funded by the Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future and the CARE-Cornell Impact through Innovation Fund.