June 25, 2025 – In a significant move aimed at bolstering agricultural research and enhancing food security across South Asia, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved a proposal for the establishment of the International Potato Centre (CIP)'s South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC). The new cutting-edge facility will be set up at Singna, Agra, in Uttar Pradesh.
The decision underscores India's commitment to leveraging world-class science and innovation to improve productivity, post-harvest management, and value-addition in potato and sweet potato farming. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw confirmed the Cabinet's approval, stating that the project entails financial support of ₹111.5 crore from the Union government.
The primary objectives of establishing CSARC are multifaceted:
Enhancing Food and Nutrition Security: By developing high-yielding, nutrient-rich, and climate-resilient varieties of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Increasing Farmers' Income: Through improved crop productivity, better post-harvest practices, and value addition, ensuring farmers receive better returns for their produce.
Generating Employment: The potato sector holds immense potential to create jobs across its entire value chain, including production, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing.
An official release stated that the new centre in Agra is strategically located to tap into this vast potential. Uttar Pradesh, already a top potato-producing state in India, has allocated 10 acres of land free of cost for the research facility.
The International Potato Centre (CIP), headquartered in Lima, Peru, is a global research-for-development organization focused on potato, sweet potato, and Andean roots and tubers. Its presence in Agra is expected to significantly accelerate the sustainable development of these vital crops, not only within India but also throughout the broader South Asia region.
Research at the CSARC will concentrate on critical areas such as advanced seed production, effective pest management, sustainable farming practices, and comprehensive training programs for farmers. This initiative builds upon India's status as one of the world's largest producers of potatoes and aims to further solidify its position as a leader in agricultural innovation and a key player in the region's potato and sweet potato ecosystem.
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