International Year of the Potato relationship that exists between poverty, food security, malnutrition and the potential contribution of the potato to defeating hunger." This was one of many international observances declared for specific days, months and years. The year 2008 was shared with the International Year of Sanitation. It was hoped that International Year designation will do for the potato what the International Year of Rice (2004) did for that food staple, namely, inspire exhibits, educational programs, films, publications and greater public awareness of multi-national efforts on behalf of our food resources. The year 2008 was also designated the National Year of the Potato in
Food and Agriculture Organization number of major ‘State of the World’ reports related to food, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and natural resources. There are a total of 197 members comprising 194 member nations, 1 member organization and 2 associate members. The UN member state that is a non-member of the FAO is Liechtenstein. Some countries may denote specific representatives to the FAO, for instance the United States Ambassador to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, who has ambassador rank and is also part of the United States Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome. There has been public criticism of FAO for