"Its nutritious value is often overlooked," said Bi Yang, professor of Gansu Agricultural University.
He pointed out that an average-size potato contains as much protein as an egg, and 10 times more vitamin C than an apple.
With the country's gross domestic product (GDP) per person surpassed 7,000 U.S. dollars last year, people's need for improving food nutrition patterns has grown. Bi said potato is a good option to improve nutrition.
In addition, potato is more resistant to the cold and the drought compared with wheat and rice. China is boosting its acreage to make potato as one of the country's staple foods to better ensure its food security under the pressure of less farmland, water, labor and chemicals.
After years of research, steamed buns made from potato flake made their debut in more than 200 supermarkets in Beijing last month, one step closer to make it a centerpiece of people's dining table.
LONG WAY TO GO
Seed quality, production cost and eating habits all pose a challenge for potato companies.
Kiremko, a food processing equipment company from the Netherlands, has cooperated with 15 Chinese potato companies for over 30 years.
Joost Miltenburg, area sales manager of Kiremko, said two kilograms of European potato can make one kilogram of French fries with the company's processing equipment, but some Chinese potatoes fail to produce the same amount of French fries owing to poor quality.
He sees a lot of potential in China but also a lot of waste in potato storage and transportation, inefficient planting and irrigation.
Companies are also seeking ways to lower cost. The potato yield per hectare is 16 tonnes in China, while the number is around 50 tonnes in developed countries, making potato flakes three times more expensive than wheat flour, said Lu Xiaoping, director of International Potato Center's branch in Asia and the Pacific area.
"Only by establishing a high-tech breeding base and producing in a mechanized way can we guarantee high-quality seeds," said Liang Xisen, chairman of Xisen Potato Industry Co. Ltd.
But the most difficult problem facing potato companies is to change Chinese people's long-standing diet habits and give potatoes similar role as rice and wheat.
Miltenburg said Chinese potato noodles and steamed buns are new for him. Although it takes time to change people's habit, he believes that providing more choices can earn potato fans sooner or later.
