Potato (Solanum spp.) ranks third in importance as a single food crop worldwide. Late blight, caused by Phytophthora infestans, is considered to be the most important single biotic constraint of potato, but degeneration of vegetative planting material, caused primarily by a complex of viruses, potentially causes even greater yield losses. Arthropod pests are also important, with the primary problems on a global scale being the potato tuber moth complex (Phthorimaea operculella, Symmetrischema tangolias and Tecia solanivora), leaf miner fly (Liriomyza huidobrenis), Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), and Andean potato weevil (Premnotrypes spp.). Potato is one of the most pesticide-demanding agricultural crops and health risks related to pesticide use in potato production are high, especially in developing countries where protective clothing is generally not used. Experiences with potato integrated pest management (IPM) interventions have been multiple, but some of the most promising for disease management involve efforts to integrate the use of resistant cultivars, fungicides (for late blight) and capacity building of farmers. Interventions for arthropod pests rely less on host resistance and focus more on sustaining biodiversity and habitat management, as well as technological innovations to improve on-farm management, for example, cultural management practices and biological control. It is concluded that farmer capacity building is one of the most important elements needed to improve potato IPM in developing countries and that farmer acceptance of new technologies is best achieved through their understanding of the economic, ecological and practical benefits of the new technologies.