INTRODUCTION

The mandate of the International Potato Center (CIP) is to increase potato productivity by helping to develop varieties better adapted to the growing conditions of developing countries and improving agronomic, seed production, and storage technologies.

Since the foundation of CIP, its scientists have constantly visited and consulted with the research staff of national programmes to analyse biotic and abiotic yield constraints related to the performance of their commercial cultivars. Using this information, research needs for breeding programmes have been established for the developing countries associated with each of the seven regions of CIP. The regional network has been developed to coordinate CIP's research involvement through the world. Furthermore, Planning Conferences have been organized on a regular basis with the participation of breeding experts from leading institutions throughout the world, CIP breeding staff, and scientists from developing countries. At these conferences, research problems are discussed and breeding priorities defined. CIP's main contribution to potato production has been in germplasm improvement and the distribution of genetic materials. These materials are distributed as selected clones with specific adaptation and resistance to or tolerance of climatic stresses, pests and diseases. CIP also distributes advanced populations with a wide genetic diversity segregating for the same characters as the clonal materials. National programmes have to evaluate this advanced germplasm and select varieties adapted to their local conditions and suitable for their needs. They will eventually release their own varieties from CIP's genetic material.