On 30 June 2026, the POMATO project participated in Encuentro de Saberes y Sabores: Día Nacional de la Papa in Riobamba, Ecuador. The event, organised in celebration of Ecuador’s National Potato Day, brought together farmers, researchers, consumers and other local stakeholders to exchange knowledge about potato production, crop health and agricultural traditions.

Representing University of San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), Antonio León Reyes presented the POMATO project and shared information about Ralstonia solanacearum, a bacterial pathogen that can cause serious disease in potato and tomato crops.

The activity focused on helping local farmers recognise possible signs of disease, understand the importance of early detection and learn how suspected outbreaks should be rapidly reported to the relevant authorities. As potato and tomato are widely cultivated in the region, raising awareness before an outbreak occurs can support faster action and more effective disease management.

Although the USFQ team has not identified the disease in Ecuador through its activities to date, the event provided an important opportunity to improve preparedness among growers and other local actors.

Connecting research with farming communities

Through discussions and a project poster, the POMATO team introduced the project’s objectives and progress to farmers, consumers, researchers and members of the wider public. Approximately 300 people attended the event, creating valuable opportunities for direct engagement and knowledge exchange.

The team successfully connected with local growers and consumers, raising awareness of the importance of disease identification, monitoring and rapid notification. These conversations also provided insights into farmers’ practical experiences and concerns related to crop health.

The event enabled the POMATO team to establish contact with researchers studying other pests and diseases affecting solanaceous crops, including threats affecting tree tomato (Solanum betaceum). The exchange was particularly valuable for learning how other research teams are conducting resistance-screening activities and assessing plant responses to crop-health challenges.

Supporting early awareness and preparedness

Participation in the National Potato Day event contributed to POMATO’s broader goal of connecting research activities with the people who may ultimately benefit from the project’s results.

By sharing accessible information directly with farmers and promoting dialogue between growers and researchers, POMATO is helping strengthen awareness, preparedness and collaboration around bacterial diseases affecting potato and tomato production.

Events such as this also support the project’s Multi-Actor Approach by ensuring that knowledge is exchanged not only within the scientific community, but also with farmers, consumers and local organisations.