The humble spud will take centre stage today at Fed Square with the official launch, by the Victorian Minister for Agriculture Joe Helper, of a large scale sculptural installation titled 'The Potato' inspired by the United Nations' International Year of the Potato.

The event will be attended by farming, government and non government organisations' representatives.

Following the Fed Square exhibition the sculptures will be installed permanently on the freeway entrance to the potato district in regional Victoria in the Shires of Baw Baw and South Gippsland.

Ms Brennan said, "The International Year of the Potato will raise awareness of the importance of agriculture, food security and the environment. Something many of us take for granted will highlight global concerns.

Image left: The Potato' - forks fitted to the potatoes prior to painting. Created by Gippsland Sculptor John Mutsaers

"The humble potato tuber is the world's No. 4 food crop, with production in 2007 of more than 320 million tonnes. It is particularly important in securing both food and employment in a number of developing countries and is particularly linked to the productive work of women in these communities.

"We hope John's creative response will create a talking point around these issues as well as recognise the Victorian regions which produce this great food."

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International Year of the Potato Fact Sheet - United Nations

Where and when did farmers start growing potatoes?
Recent research indicates that the first potatoes were cultivated near Lake Titicaca, on the Peru/Bolivia border, about 8,000 years ago.

Where are potatoes grown today?
All around the world! Potato farming has spread to China's Yunnan plateau and the subtropical lowlands of India, to Java's equatorial highlands and the steppes of Ukraine.

How many varieties of potato are there?
The International Potato Center (CIP) holds 7,500 different varieties of potato (1,950 of them wild).

How much potato is produced in the world each year?
In 2007, potato farmers produced more than 320 million tonnes (that's 353 million US tons)!

Are potatoes an important food crop?
Yes. Potato is the world's No. 4 food crop, after maize, wheat and rice.

Which country grows the most potatoes?
China is the world's biggest potato producer, followed by the Russian Federation and India.

How much land is used to grow potatoes?
Today potatoes are grown on an estimated 195,000 sq km (or 75,000 square miles) of farmland.

How are potatoes grown?
Usually, farmers plant a piece of the potato tuber (known as "seed potato") where one to two sprouts (or "eyes") have formed. Each seed potato can produce from two to 10 new tubers. Potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves of the plant start to turn yellow and die.

How long does it take to produce a potato crop?
It depends on the local climate. In the tropics farmers can harvest potatoes within 90 days of planting. In colder places, it takes up to 150 days.

Can potatoes be grown from seed?
Most potatoes are still grown from pieces of the tuber. But scientists are developing ways of growing potatoes using what is called "true potato seed" obtained from the berries.

Are potatoes good for us?
Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, which makes them a good source of energy, and in vitamin C and potassium. They have more protein than other roots and tubers (about 2.1 percent), and that protein is high-quality and well matched to human requirements.

How much potato do people eat each year?
That depends on the region. In Europe, people eat around 96 kg (or about 212 lb) of potatoes a year. In the developing countries, the average is around 21 kg (46 lb) per person but is growing all the time.