International Potato Center set to open branch in UP

Lucknow : The International Potato Center (CIP) in Lima, Peru, is set to establish a branch in Agra, with an investment of approximately Rs 120 crore on a 10-hectare site, according to an official government statement released on Monday. The branch is being opened on the initiative of the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government, with support from the Central government.

Notably, potatoes are part of the central government’s pilot project to export select vegetables and fruits via sea routes and its cultivation promises significant prosperity for farmers in the state’s potato-producing regions.

As Uttar Pradesh stands as the country’s largest potato producer, with double-cropping practised in several districts like Kannauj and Farrukhabad, farmers in the state are poised to reap maximum benefits from this initiative.

Potatoes are a staple in Indian cuisine, making them indispensable in any vegetable-based dish. While generally affordable year-round, their high demand sometimes leads to shortages that capture media attention. The introduction of cost-effective sea exports is expected to stabilize supply, reducing such shortages and related concerns.

From the outset, the Yogi government has demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing potato farmers’ challenges. During his first term, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath implemented the Market Intervention Scheme to support farmers facing economic downturns—a first in the state’s history.

Since then, the government has consistently taken steps to promote the welfare of potato producers, including providing high-quality seeds at fixed prices, tailored to the local agricultural climate.

Additionally, at the start of his second term, the Chief Minister announced several initiatives, including plans to establish Centers of Excellence for Potatoes in Hapur and Kushinagar. Transparent licensing processes for cold storage facilities, as well as development of Mega Food Parks and processing clusters, are also underway, reflecting rapid progress in enhancing storage and value-added processing capabilities.

These strategic efforts, supported by both the central and state governments, are transforming the potato sector in Uttar Pradesh, ensuring sustainable growth and prosperity for farmers.

The establishment of international and national-level centers will greatly benefit farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the country’s leading potato-producing state. Neighbouring states like Bihar and West Bengal, as well as other South Asian potato-growing nations, will also reap significant advantages.

The CIP center in Agra will provide access to high-quality potato seeds, leading to better crop yields and increased farmer incomes. Additionally, it will address the shortage of potato seeds and focus on developing highly productive and processable potato varieties.

Farmers will have the opportunities to learn advanced potato cultivation techniques, enhancing their productivity. While Uttar Pradesh leads the nation in total potato production, West Bengal surpasses it in per-hectare yield, producing 29.9 metric tonnes compared to UP’s 25.48 metric tonnes. Closing this productivity gap becomes more achievable with dedicated research centers.

Although potato cultivation occurs across all districts, key commercial hubs include Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Agra, Firozabad, Mathura, Aligarh, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Bareilly, Lucknow, and Barabanki.