DEVELOPMENT OF POTATO STAPLE FOOD IN ZHEJIANG PROVINCE OF CHINA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF WHOLE VALUE CHAIN

Potato is the fourth most important food crop in the world. The potato staple food strategy launched in 2015 has brought new opportunities for the development  of  potato  industry in China. Zhejiang province has its unique development strengths and experiences in potato industry though potatoes are neither staple food nor staple crop in Zhejiang province. In this study, the foundation of the potato staple food development in Zhejiang province was elucidated from the perspective of the whole value chain involving potato production, process and consumption. Specifically, through the measures of varieties breeding for special use, localization of seed potato, regionalization of planting areas, diverse processing and popularization of staple food products, the implementation of potato staple food was gradually accelerated and the potato industry was further upgraded. In addition, a consumption-oriented collaborative extension model for the development of potato industry chain was established. The results in this study will provide an important reference for the sustainable development of potato industry in certain areas in China or in Asia where there are similar natural resources and dietary habits with Zhejiang province.