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Crops Specialist Univ. of Maine Cooperative Extension P.O. Box 727 Presque Isle, ME 04769
psexton{at}umext.maine.edu
J. LANG. Texas A&M University Press, College Station, TX 77843. Paperback, 365 pp., $24.95. ISBN 1-58544-154-6. Hardcover, $49.65. ISBN 1-58544-138-4.
Potatoes are an important crop providing a livelihood for farmers from Atlantic Canada to Chile and across the globe. James Lang's book provides an overview of the potato crop, its origins and uses, and advances in potato technology. The emphasis of the book is on work with small farmers in developing countries, covering many examples of how well-done, applied research has a positive impact on farming communities. It is not a textbook on potato production nor will it serve as a reference for biological research. Rather it is written with the general public in mind, giving an overview of the importance of potatoes and their domestication, problems with pest management and seed production in poorer countries, and a look towards the future of potato production. The book is written in an interesting style, is very readable, and very human in its outlook. Dr. Lang acts as a knowledgeable and pleasant traveling companion, taking the reader through the history of potatoes and current challenges of potato production in the developing world. Along the way he advocates applied research in cooperation with operators of small farms. He has a talent for nicely describing the landscape without getting bogged down in too much detail and is able to make a sharp point from time to time without going into a diatribe.
The book is written in nine sections: Beginnings; The Potato; The Andean World; Potato Projects; Food and Population; Potato Diseases and Pests; Potato Seed Systems; Sweet Potatoes; Conclusions. Each of these sections is divided into several short chapters. There are several themes at work in the book. The primary theme, of course, is the cultivation and importance of the potato plant. A secondary theme is that each region has its own unique set of resources and constraints, and therefore solutions to various problems have to be individually worked out for each area. There are no cookie-cutter solutions. The grower needs to be involved in identifying problems and in evaluating solutions for the very reason that he or she understands his or her own situation best. In the context of applied research, the International Potato Center (CIP) plays a strong role in this book. A third theme is that applied research should not merely address the biology of the potato plant, but also needs to consider the whole process from commercial availability of inputs and seed to marketing and to the social and cultural aspects of potato production. Another theme, only lightly touched on, is that modern society is driven by increasingly larger urban centers of population and this may not be helpful for growers, nor may it be good for society. The author does not seem to see globalization of the world economy as a helpful thing for the poor, nor does he think it sustainable.
There are several audiences for this book. Those with an interest in potatoes in general (especially their history) and/or in agricultural development would find the book to be good reading, in my opinion. It might also make a good gift for someone who does not appreciate agriculture or agricultural development, but can see the world through the lens of a social scientist. I found the book interesting. The author's ability to make sharp points where needed without toeing any particular party line was refreshing.
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