What is a potato famine?

A potato famine is a period of severe food shortage caused by a significant reduction in the potato crop. Potatoes are a staple food in many parts of the world, and a failure of the potato crop can have devastating consequences.

Potato famines have occurred throughout history, but the most famous and severe was the Great Irish Potato Famine of the 1840s. The famine was caused by a fungus called Phytophthora infestans, which caused a disease known as potato late blight. Potato late blight quickly spread throughout Ireland, destroying the potato crop and leading to widespread hunger and disease.

An estimated one million people died as a direct result of the Irish Potato Famine, and over two million more emigrated from Ireland to escape starvation. The famine had a profound impact on Irish society, culture, and history.

Other notable potato famines include the Highland Potato Famine in Scotland in the 1840s, the Swedish Potato Famine of the 1770s, and the Indian Potato Famine of the 1860s. Potato famines continue to occur in various parts of the world today, but they are not as widespread or severe as they once were.