The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the establishment of the International Potato Centre’s (CIP) South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) at Singna in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.The move is expected to enhance food and nutrition security while raising farmer incomes and creating employment opportunities across the potato value chain.India is the world’s second-largest producer of potatoes, with Uttar Pradesh being the top-producing state. The regional centre will focus on critical areas like seed production, pest management, sustainable farming, and farmer training.The centre will focus on improving the productivity of potatoes and sweet potatoes through advanced research, better post-harvest practices, and innovations in value addition. According to the government, the CSARC will play a key role in unlocking the untapped potential of India’s potato sector, creating jobs in production, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing.“The high-yielding, nutrient-rich and climate-resilient varieties developed at this regional centre will not only benefit India but will also contribute to sustainable agricultural development across South Asia,” the PIB press release stated.As per the government, the centre will also strengthen post-harvest management and value-addition chains, contributing to employment generation across sectors like packaging, transportation, and marketing.The Uttar Pradesh government has already allocated 10 hectares of land free of cost for the centre. The Union government will provide financial support of Rs 111.5 crore for the project, in collaboration with the UP government and international bodies.The facility is expected to accelerate innovation through world-class scientific research, making India a key player in the region’s potato and sweet potato ecosystem. The initiative aligns with India’s broader goals of agricultural sustainability and rural economic development.
