Fried rice and steamed buns could be making way for hash browns and potato chips as part of an ongoing food security strategy.
Food self-sufficiency is a big concern in China because of shrinking arable land, a rising population and the effects of global warming.
Potato, a drought-resistant crop, could become a staple food in China, where 65 per cent of farmland is dry.
Qu Dongyu, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), said expansion of potato production deserved serious attention.
"A slight increase in yield for each hectare of land used in potato farming would help meet the huge food demand of the growing population," Qu said.
In China, the average yield of potato tubers is about 15 tons per hectare, one third that of well-developed countries.
Meanwhile, China's yield of wheat and rice is much better than the world's average and nearing maximum potential.
Qu said by doubling the yield of potatoes to 30 tons per hectare, China's near 6 million hectares of potato-growing land would be able to feed 1.4 billion people and each person would have 110 kg of potatoes a year.
Additionally, 16 million hectares of winter farming land in South China could be used to grow potatoes after the autumn rice harvest.
Farmers would get better harvests and economic returns from potatoes, compared with wheat and rice, Qu said.
"One can never sacrifice farmers' interests in pursuit of State food security," Qu said.
The CAAS vice-president has conducted research across China for two decades and made overseas tours to the United States, Holland, Eastern Europe, South America and other countries. He has submitted a potato strategy report to the State Council and received positive feedback. He suggested China should view potatoes as being a staple food rather than just a vegetable.
"Potato is definitely the most nutritious staple food. It is rich in vitamin C, B, proteins and minerals a daily intake of 148g potato is sufficient for an adult's daily nutritional demands," he said.
Source: China Daily
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