On 20 August 2026, POMATO partner Xavier Cuesta took part in Papa Summit Ecuador 2026, held in San Gabriel, Carchi, Ecuador.

The event brought together around 100 participants from across the potato value chain, creating a space for exchange on some of the key challenges currently facing potato production and on the technologies and approaches that can help address them.

Through an oral presentation and an information stand, Xavier Cuesta introduced participants to the POMATO project and shared information about its activities and the sustainable solutions being explored to support healthier and more resilient potato production.

Connecting climate pressures and plant health

An important topic discussed during the Summit was the potential impact of the El Niño phenomenon on potato production, including how changing environmental conditions may influence crop health and create favourable conditions for the emergence or spread of plant diseases.

This is particularly relevant for soil-borne pathogens such as Ralstonia solanacearum, one of the bacterial pathogens addressed by POMATO, as well as other emerging disease threats affecting potato production.

Understanding how environmental conditions, pathogens, crops and agricultural practices interact is increasingly important for developing effective and sustainable disease-management strategies.

Bringing POMATO closer to the potato community

Papa Summit Ecuador 2026 provided an important opportunity to communicate POMATO’s work directly to stakeholders, including representatives of the agricultural input sector, researchers and academics, policymakers, consumers, media and the wider potato community.

Engaging with stakeholders in potato-producing regions is an important part of POMATO’s approach. These exchanges help connect research with challenges experienced in the field, while creating opportunities to share knowledge and support the development and future uptake of solutions that respond to the needs of potato producers.

By participating in events such as Papa Summit, POMATO continues to strengthen dialogue with the communities that can contribute to, and ultimately benefit from, more sustainable approaches to plant disease management.