New Potato Research Center in India

The Union Cabinet of India approved the establishment of the CIP-South Asia Regional Center (CSARC) on June 25, 2023, which will be developed at Singna in Agra district. This initiative is part of the broader effort to enhance agricultural productivity, particularly for potatoes and sweet potatoes, catering not only to Indian farmers but also to those in neighboring South Asian countries.

Key Details:

• International Potato Center (CIP):

  • Founded in 1971 and headquartered in Lima, Peru.
  • Focuses on research and development related to potatoes and sweet potatoes.
  • Engaged with several regions, including South America, Africa, and Asia since it commenced work in India in 1975.

• Objectives and Functions of CSARC:

  • Aims to improve food and nutrition security, enhance farmers' income, and facilitate job creation through better productivity, post-harvest management, and value addition for potato and sweet potato crops.
  • Plans to develop new, climate-resilient, and disease-free crop varieties suitable for processing.
  • Will utilize global scientific expertise and genetic resources from CIP for local agricultural advancement.

• Financial and Operational Details:

  • Total project cost is Rs 171 crore: India contributes Rs 111.5 crore, while CIP will contribute Rs 60 crore.
  • The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated 10 hectares of land for the center.

• Significance of the Move:

  • Potatoes are the third most produced food crop globally. India ranks as the second largest producer, following China, but faces challenges with low average yields of 25 tonnes per hectare, significantly lower than the potential of over 50 tonnes per hectare.
  • Similar issues exist for sweet potatoes, with an average yield of 11.5 tonnes compared to a potential of 30 tonnes per hectare.
  • CSARC will help bolster domestic potato seed production, reducing dependence on imports and enhancing the export potential of potato and sweet potato products.

• International Context:

  • This CSARC will be the second major agricultural research institution in India, following the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)'s regional center in Varanasi, supported in 2017.
  • The establishment of a CIP wing in India closely mirrors a similar initiative in China where the China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP) was launched in 2017.

• India's Position in Potato Production:

  • As of 2020, India produced 51.3 million tonnes of potatoes, while China produced 78.24 million tonnes. Together, both countries produce over one-third of the global output**.
  • Key potato-producing states in India include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar.

Conclusion:

The establishment of the CSARC in Agra is a strategic move by the Indian government to enhance agricultural practices concerning potatoes and sweet potatoes, potentially transforming the livelihoods of farmers in not only India but the wider South Asian region through enhanced research, development, and collaboration.

Important Points:

• Approval date: June 25, 2023.
• Proposed location: CSARC at Singna, Agra district.
• CIP established in 1971 in Peru; engaged in India since 1975.
• Project cost: Rs 171 crore, with specific contributions from India and CIP.
• Aims to increase food security and farmers' income.
• Addresses challenges of low yield in potato and sweet potato production.
• Second major international agricultural R&D institution in India after IRRI.
• Reflects India's rank as the second largest potato producer globally.