What is the National Potato Development Fund (FNFP)?
This is a special account made up of the potato parafiscal contribution made by the national producer.
What is Fedepapa?
This is a special account made up of the potato parafiscal contribution made by the national producer.
Ten years of growth and transformation in the potato sector
Cundinamarca is the leading department in potato production in Colombia, contributing about 37% of the national total. The most predominant varieties planted are Superior and Diacol Capiro, with Villapinzón being the leading municipality both in departmental and national production, with over 4,000 hectares. The region is also known for its National Potato Fair in Villapinzón, an event that celebrates the economic and cultural importance of this crop. This department stands out for its industrial potato production.
In Boyacá, it contributes 27% of the national potato production. Its geographic conditions, being located in the Andes, favor the cultivation of this tuber, with an estimated area of nearly 40,000 hectares by 2024. The predominant varieties planted in the region are ICA-Única and Superior, with the municipalities of Ventaquemada and Toca being the largest contributors to the availability of potatoes within the department. Agricultural activities accounted for 14.5% of Boyacá's GDP in 2023, making it the second largest contributor to the department's value-added economy. This department stands out for its strong presence of family farming.
Nariño is the third department with the highest contribution in planted areas dedicated to potato cultivation in Colombia. Its geographic conditions, related to its location in the Andes, favor the production of this tuber in the region, with an area close to 23,000 hectares (ha) projected for 2024. This department has approximately 30 municipalities that allocate part of their territory to potato cultivation, with Ipiales (2,810 ha), Pupiales (2,652 ha), Túquerres (2,253 ha), and Pasto (1,936 ha) being the leading municipalities in potato production. This department is characterized by the presence of a significant number of communities that play an important role in preserving ancestral agricultural techniques in the Andean highlands.
Antioquia ranks as the fourth department with the largest area of land dedicated to potato cultivation in Colombia, with an average planting of around 6,000 hectares per year. By 2024, it is estimated that the projected cultivated area will reach approximately 6,066 hectares, spread across 19 municipalities. La Unión and Santa Rosa de Osos stand out as the leaders in terms of production, with an estimated 1,855 hectares and 1,333 hectares, respectively, in these municipalities. This department is notable for the commercialization of washed potatoes and a high production of Diacol Capiro and ICA-Nevada varieties.
Santander is the seventh department with the largest area dedicated to potato cultivation in Colombia. An area of 1,209 hectares is estimated to be planted, spread across 14 municipalities, led by Cerrito, followed by Carcasí. Along with Norte de Santander, it contributes to the supply of potatoes to the northeastern region of the country. The potato production in the department is primarily based on two varieties: Superior and ICA-Única.
Norte de Santander is the sixth department with the largest area dedicated to potato cultivation in Colombia. Among the producing municipalities, Silos and Chitagá accounted for three-quarters of the department's potato production. Along with Santander, it contributes to the supply of potatoes to the northeastern region of the country, primarily to Cúcuta, focusing mainly on the provision of Superior and Criolla varieties.
Cauca is the fifth department with the largest contribution in planted areas dedicated to potato cultivation in Colombia, with an area close to 3,129 hectares projected for 2024, distributed across 9 municipalities. Totoró is the municipality with the largest number of areas dedicated to potato production, with an estimated 1,110 hectares per year. In terms of variety analysis, the department is characterized by the predominance of the Superior variety.
Tolima is the eighth-largest potato-producing department among the top ten in Colombia. It is estimated to plant around 1,149 hectares, spread across 7 producing municipalities, led by Herveo, followed by Murillo. In these areas, potatoes are primarily cultivated for local and regional consumption and are a key part of the rural diet. Additionally, in recent years, efforts have been made to improve cultivation techniques and optimize productivity to increase its competitiveness in the national market.
Caldas is the ninth-largest potato-producing department among the top ten in Colombia. It is estimated to plant around 566 hectares, spread across 6 producing municipalities, with Manizales being the largest contributor to potato cultivation, with 220 hectares annually, followed by Villamaría with 136 hectares. The Pastusa varieties are in the highest demand within the department, and they are primarily grown for self-consumption, with the main market being the Centro Galerías plaza.
Valle del Cauca is a potato-producing department in Colombia, with crops in several municipalities, such as Barragán, where the climatic conditions are ideal. The Central de Abastos Cavaza in Cali is the main potato commercialization center in the southern part of the country, providing farmers in the region with access to a wide market. This market facilitates the distribution of fresh potatoes and derivative products, ensuring profitability for producers and meeting the growing demand. Additionally, the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival is held in Cali, with a strong connection to agricultural culture, where potatoes are featured in traditional dishes, reinforcing the link between agricultural production and the cultural expressions of the region.
Programs and projects
The FNFP investment is distributed among key projects aimed at improving the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of the potato sector.
