On 29 May 2026, six EU-funded projects came together for the joint webinar “From Research to Field: Sustainable Solutions for Potato Health”, organised in the context of the International Day of Potato 2026.
This year’s International Day of Potato theme, “Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish,” provided a strong framework for the discussion. Potatoes are not only one of the world’s most important food crops, but also a source of livelihoods, resilience, and economic opportunities across the value chain. In this context, the webinar focused on how research and innovation can support healthier potato crops and more sustainable crop protection strategies.
The event brought together representatives from POMATO, IPMorama, NEM-EMERGE, PataFEST, CROPSAFE, and SAGROPIA, each presenting complementary approaches to addressing current and emerging challenges in potato production.
The webinar opened with short project presentations, highlighting different perspectives on potato health, pest and disease management, early detection, biological and natural control solutions, and integrated pest management.
The POMATO project presented its work on bacterial diseases affecting potato and tomato crops, with a focus on early detection, prevention, smart sensing technologies, AI-supported tools, and sustainable disease management strategies.
IPMorama focused on late blight management and the role of resistant potato varieties, genome-based breeding, and decision support tools in reducing reliance on conventional crop protection products.
NEM-EMERGE introduced its work on emerging and virulent nematode threats, including potato cyst nematodes, and highlighted the importance of combining scientific tools, stakeholder engagement, and sustainable nematode management approaches.
PataFEST presented its work on emerging pests and diseases affecting potato production, including approaches related to prevention, monitoring, resistant varieties, and sustainable crop protection tools.
CROPSAFE shared insights into the development of bio-based solutions, including the use of bioactive compounds from valorised waste streams and their potential role in future pest and disease management strategies.
SAGROPIA presented its work on integrated pest management, biological crop protection products, disease monitoring, and decision support systems, with a focus on bringing sustainable solutions closer to practical use by farmers.
Following the presentations, the webinar continued with a joint moderated discussion led by Dan Milbourne from Teagasc, coordinator of the IPMorama project. Speakers discussed some of the most important barriers to adoption of sustainable crop protection solutions, including the transition from laboratory results to reliable field tools, regulatory requirements, cost-effectiveness, farmer confidence, and the need for clear guidance.
A key message from the discussion was that sustainable crop protection requires not one single solution, but a combination of approaches. Monitoring, diagnostics, resistant varieties, biological products, decision support systems, and farmer engagement all have an important role to play. Speakers also emphasised the importance of working with existing networks, involving stakeholders early, and ensuring that new tools are practical and accessible for end users.
The webinar concluded with audience questions and reflections on how EU-funded projects can continue working together to increase impact. The event showed how collaboration between research projects can support a shared goal: healthier potato crops, more sustainable crop protection, and solutions that can be relevant for farmers, advisors, researchers, industry, and policymakers.