Inner Mongolia to host potato conference

The 14th National Potato Conference will be held in the city of Ulan Qab, in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, from July 29 to 31.

The theme of the conference is the efficient utilization of water resources.

Along with the conference, the Second Potato Exhibition and the Third Potato Culture Festival of Ulan Qab will also be held.

Dubbed by the China National Food Industry Association the Capital of Potatoes in 2009, Ulan Qab has developed 11 large-scale potato trade markets with an annual trade volume of more than 1 billion kilograms. Potatoes produced in the region are sold across more than 20 provinces in China, such as South China's Guangdong, East China's Shandong and Jiangsu, and are exported to countries including Russia, Singapore and Malaysia.

The industry, the main activity in Ulan Qab, has an increasing weight in local people's income. In 2011, the per capita net income of farmers and herdsmen in the city was 5,100 yuan ($800), with 1,500 yuan coming from the potato industry, which accounts for 53 percent of crop farming.

The number of potato cellars with a storage capacity of more than 200 tons has reached 2,700. The city's total storage capacity reached 2 billion kilograms. The potatoes are being sold throughout the four seasons with adequate supply.

Also, the number of potato processing enterprises in the city has grown to more than 70, with 19 of them registering annual sales of more than 1 million yuan.