India Grows Global Roots with New Potato Innovation Center

Report

The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a South Asia Regional Centre of the Peru-based International Potato Center (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The centre—named the CIP–South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC)—aims to improve food safety, crop resilience, and farmer incomes by developing climate-resilient and disease-free potato and sweet potato varieties.

Enhancing Food Safety through Better Seeds

India, despite being the second-largest potato producer globally, struggles with low productivity and quality due to limited access to high-grade seed material. CSARC will address this by promoting the production of high-yield, disease-resistant varieties, helping reduce the reliance on lower-quality imported seeds. This initiative will contribute to safer food systems by limiting food safety risks linked to unregulated crop inputs.

Improving Nutrition and Post-Harvest Practices

The centre will also focus on improving post-harvest management and food processing, thereby ensuring better nutritional value and reducing waste. The development of safe, processed food products will support India’s efforts to meet global standards and improve consumer health outcomes.

Investment and Collaboration

The ₹171 crore project includes ₹111.5 crore from India and ₹60 crore from CIP. The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated 10 hectares in Agra’s Singna area for the facility. This collaboration will bring global research capabilities and germplasm resources to India, enhancing both domestic agricultural research and international cooperation.

Strengthening India’s Agricultural Ecosystem

CSARC will work alongside existing Indian institutions like the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Shimla and the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) in Thiruvananthapuram. The facility is expected to support food security across India and South Asia, boost rural employment, and provide a platform for value addition and exports in the tuber crop sector. With China and India together accounting for more than one-third of global potato production, the Agra centre reinforces India’s role in global agricultural innovation—placing food safety and farmer welfare at the core of its mission.