Volume Three, 2019
Biotechnology Potato Partnership
Science Based Answers to Sustaining Farmers, Solving Hunger and Securing Our Planet
Late Blight Field Trials Underway in Michigan
The Feed the Future Biotechnology Potato Partnership is testing one of it's two 3 R-gene late blight resistant potato varieties in field trials this summer.

Private sector project partner, Simplot Plant Sciences transformed the Diamant variety and Michigan State University (MSU) propagated mini-tuber certified seed via nutrient film technique (NFT) and grew plants for direct transplant to the field.

Results of the trials will provide project scientists with information which will assist in selecting the best lines for continued research in Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Potato field trials will examine resistance levels of the project's 3 R-gene Diamant variety.


 GMO Fact Check
Statement: GMO's Aren't Properly Tested

Fact: On average, GMOs take 13 years and $130 million in research and development before coming to market. Over 75 different studies are conducted to verify that each new GMO is as safe as its conventional counterpart. This includes studies on if it is safe to grow, safe for the environment and safe to eat. For more information on GMO statistics visit GMO Answers.
Farming Future Bangladesh:
Sharing the Science of Agri-biotechnology
Innovations in agriculture can be complicated and difficult to understand. This often results in apprehension and mistrust of the technology by those it is meant to benefit. Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB) is a comprehensive communications initiative committed to help improve awareness and understanding of modern agricultural innovations, including crop biotechnology, throughout Bangladesh.
 
FFB is sharing evidence-based information about the social, economic and environmental benefits of using biotechnology to breed improved crops, especially those that can boost the nutritional content of staple foods, such as Golden Rice.
 
“Our goal is to help people understand that these crops are public goods developed to benefit farmers and consumers,” said Arif Hossain, CEO and Executive Director of FFB.

Hossain and his team will engage key stakeholders and a community of advocates who are working in a coordinated way to promote access to scientific innovation as a means of enhancing food security, improving environmental sustainability and raising the quality of life in Bangladesh.
Biotechnology Potato Partnership team members from Simplot and Michigan State University visit the Farming Future Bangladesh office while in Dhaka.
In Your Kitchen ... Potato Skin Burgers
Yep, you heard right - potato skin burgers! Using potato skins as hamburger buns is brilliant! Here's how to make your own potato skin buns...

INGREDIENTS
  • 4 Yukon Gold Potatoes
  • kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 T extra virgin olive oil

Plus feel free to add any of your favorite seasonings.
Preheat oven to 350. Scrub potatoes, rub with olive oil and season with salt, pepper plus any of your favorites. Bake in oven until tender (approximately 1 1/2 hours). Let potatoes cool and halve lengthwise. Scoop out potatoes making sure to leave some potato still in the skin. Heat oven to 450. Place potato skins face down and brush with olive oil. Bake til golden. Viola! Potato Skin Buns!
Now your challenge is to shape your burger patties to match your potato buns. Cook burgers, add toppings of your choice and enjoy!
The Feed the Future Biotechnology Potato Partnership is a five-year,
$5.8 million multi-institution cooperative agreement with USAID
to introduce bio-engineered potato products in farmer-preferred varieties
into Bangladesh and Indonesia. The biotech potato offers
broad-spectrum resistance to late blight ( Phytopthora infestans ),
the most devastating potato disease in the world.