John Niederhauser in Potato Field
photo by Larry Klaas

Dr. Niederhauser's work with national programs has dramatically increased potato production in many Third World countries. The potato is a major crop in Mexico. Niederhauser's work helped increase production from about 134,000 metric tons in 1948 to more than 1 million tons by 1982.

Another of his greatest contributions is the large number of international scientists and leaders he has trained over the years. His research into late blight, along with his other potato efforts, earned him the 1990 World Food Prize. Late blight, an airborne virus, precipitated Ireland's potato famine, and though still with us is better under control. Recently, however, a new strain of potato blight has appeared and promises to be more difficult to restrain. Dr. Niederhauser is once again providing leadership to save the world's potato crop.