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Key Points

The Indian government is making a strategic move to establish the International Potato Centre's South Asia Regional Centre in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. This initiative aims to revolutionize potato cultivation through advanced research and climate-resilient varieties. The centre is expected to significantly boost food security, farmer incomes, and employment opportunities across the region. With India projected to become the world's top potato producer by 2050, this investment represents a critical step in agricultural transformation.

Key Points: Modi Approves CIP South Asia Centre in Agra Potato Hub

  • - Modi Cabinet approves International Potato Centre's South Asia Regional Centre
  • Agra chosen as strategic location for potato research
  • High-yield potato varieties to boost food security
  • Potential to transform agricultural productivity in region
2 min read

International Potato Centre's South Asia Regional Centre to be set up at Agra: Cabinet

PM Modi backs International Potato Centre's regional hub in Agra to boost agricultural innovation and food security in South Asia

"High yielding, nutrient and climate resilient varieties will accelerate sustainable potato sector development - Official Statement"

New Delhi, June 25

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to establish the International Potato Centre (CIP)'s South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) at Agra in Uttar Pradesh.

The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition.

The potato sector in India has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities in the production sector, processing sector, packaging, transportation and marketing value chain.

Hence, in order to untap and explore the huge potential in this sector, International Potato Centre's South Asia regional Centre is being established at Singna, Agra, according to an official statement.

High yielding, nutrient and climate resilient varieties of potato and sweet potato, developed by CSARC, will significantly accelerate the sustainable development of the potato and sweet potato sectors not only in India but in the South Asia region also through world-class science and innovation, the statement explained.

Meanwhile, research is going on in the country to find new uses for potatoes, with IIT BHU developing a method for bio-ethanol production from potato peels, which could help India reduce its reliance on crude oil imports. Scientists are also working on new potato varieties, such as Kufri Neelkanth, which is rich in antioxidants.

India is projected to become the world's top potato producer by 2050, potentially surpassing China, with annual output reaching 100 million tonnes, according to scientists from the International Potato Center (CIP). Amul is preparing potato seeds in Prayagraj for export to Germany. Uttar Pradesh has exported potatoes to Guyana for the first time.

The potato industry faces challenges related to storage, transportation, and potential pest and disease management as potatoes are increasingly traded globally.

Attention is also being given to improving potato storage to minimise losses and ensure consistent quality.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
Great initiative! Agra is the perfect location being in the heart of India's potato belt. This will boost our farmers' income and help India become the global leader in potato production. The research on bio-ethanol from peels is especially exciting - waste to wealth! 🇮🇳
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Priya M.
While this is good news, I hope the benefits reach small farmers and not just big agri-businesses. We've seen many schemes where only large players profit. Also, will they address the issue of middlemen who take most of the profit margin?
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Amit S.
UP exporting potatoes to Germany and Guyana? That's amazing! 🥔 Our aloo is going global. Maybe soon we'll see Indian potato varieties in McDonald's worldwide. The Kufri Neelkanth variety with antioxidants could be our next superfood export!
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Sunita R.
As someone from Agra, I'm thrilled about the job opportunities this will create. But I hope the government ensures proper environmental safeguards. Potato farming uses a lot of water, and we don't want another Punjab-like groundwater crisis here.
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Vikram J.
Excellent move! The South Asia regional focus is smart - we can share knowledge with neighbors while establishing India as the regional leader in agri-tech. Maybe Nepal and Bangladesh farmers can benefit from our research too. Win-win for everyone.
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Neha P.
I'm most excited about the nutrition aspect. Many Indian children suffer from vitamin deficiencies. If sweet potatoes can be made more productive and accessible, it could really help combat malnutrition in rural areas. Jai Hind!

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