Main nutritional resources: potatoes
The potato was domesticated around the Peruvian Andes at least 6,000 years ago and is now grown all over the world. It is the fourth most consumed product by our species, but none of the current Latin American countries of its origin is among today’s main global producers.
Its introduction into Europe helped to reduce the chronic famine which afflicted its people and contributed to is rapid demographic growth. Until the last decade of the 20th century, most potatoes were grown and eaten in Europe, North America and the former Eastern European states; now China and India lead global production and consumption, although three European countries remain in the top seven.
Growing potatoes is in decline in Spain and is concentrated in Galicia, Andalusia, Castilla y León. Since 2015 a potato plague has spread in Galicia produced by the so-called Guatemalan bug (Teciasolanivora), which has still not been stopped.
Photo, Gonzalo Cases Ortega