Potato is the world's fourth important food crop after wheat, rice and maize owing to its great yield potential and high nutritive value and accounts for nearly half of the worlds annual output of all root and tuber crops. Thus, with an annual global production of about 322 million tonnes, potato is an economically important staple crop in both developed and developing countries. Considering the role of potato in diet of the people round the world, the United Nations has announced 2008 as the International Year of the Potato. In a world of increasing globalization, the ICC is organizing the India International Potato EXPO (IIPE 2008) with active support of the Government of West Bengal on 9 - 11, January 2008 in Kolkata.

India ranks 3rd in potato production after China & Russian Federation. The potato crop in India is cultivated under highly diversified agro-climatic conditions ranging from sea level to snowline and up to three crops are raised per year. Potato in India and is grown mainly in UP, Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat. West Bengal is the second-largest producer of potatoes in India. West Bengal today produces 7.10 million tonnes of potato annually.

India International Potato Expo - 2008 aims to generating global awareness of the potential of potato in ensuring food security for the people of the world as well as meeting its other requirements.