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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Union Cabinet approves global potato research center in Agra: What is the significance?
The Union Cabinet approved a proposal on Wednesday (June 25) to set up a regional wing of the Peru-based International Potato Center (CIP), a premier research-for-development organisation with a focus on the potato and sweet potato. The proposed CIP-South Asia Regional Center (CSARC) will come up at Singna in Agra district, and cater not only to farmers in India's potato belt states, like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal, but also to South Asian countries. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 20, urging him to direct ministry officials to facilitate the early establishment of the center. Here is what to know. Headquartered in Lima, Peru, the CIP was founded in 1971 with a focus on the potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers. Notably, the potato crop is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes in Latin America, and was spread across the globe by the Spaniards and the Portuguese who colonised the continent. Potatoes reached India in the 17th century. The CIP is engaged in South America, Africa and Asia. It commenced its work in India in 1975, signing an initial agreement for cooperation on potatoes and sweet potatoes with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). What functions will it carry out? The Union Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to establish the CSARC. 'The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition,' an official statement said. The CSARC will focus on the development of new varieties which will be climate resilient, disease-free, and suitable for processing. It will bring global science expertise, an extensive global innovation network and global genetic resources, sources said. The entire project costs Rs 171 crore, with India contributing Rs 111.5 crore and the remaining Rs 60 crore funded by the CIP. The UP government has provided 10 hectares of land for it. Why is the move significant? The potato is the third most available food crop in the world, after rice and wheat, while sweet potato is in the 6th position after maize and cassava. Though India is the second largest potato producer in the world, followed by China, its average yield is 25 tonnes per hectare — about half of its potential of over 50 tonnes per hectare. India's sweet potato yield is just 11.5 tonnes per hectare, which is much less than the potential of 30 tonnes per hectare. With the establishment of the CSARC, India will have access to the largest global collection of germplasm (the cells or tissues from which a new organism can be generated) available with the CIP, a source said. 'Establishment of this center will boost domestic potato seed production, thereby reducing India's dependence on seed imports from neighbouring countries', the source added. It will also help increase the potential for exporting the potato and sweet potato products from India to international markets, and aid local food processing industries in increasing investments in processing and value addition. Is this the first time that a wing is being established outside Peru? The proposed Agra center comes eight years after China set up a similar CIP wing. Known as the China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP), it was established in Yanqing, Beijing, in 2017. The center serves China, East Asia and the Pacific regions. The proposed CSARC will be the second major international agricultural research institution to set up operations in India. In 2017, the Agriculture Ministry supported the establishment of a regional centre of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The IRRI-SARC is established in Varanasi. China is the top potato producer and consumer in the world, followed by India. In 2020, China's production was recorded at 78.24 million tonnes, while India produced 51.30 million tonnes. Both countries together accounted for over one-third of the global potato production (359.07 million tonnes). In India, Uttar Pradesh (15 million tonnes), West Bengal (15 million tonnes) and Bihar (9 million tonnes) were the top three potato producers in 2020-21. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab also have significant production. As of now, at least two different ICAR centres work on tuber crops. While the Shimla-based ICAR-CPRI (Central Potato Research Institute) is working on the potato, the Thiruvananthapuram-based ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute) is working on the sweet potato. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet approves Peru based potato research centre's unit in Agra
Representative Image NEW DELHI: The Union cabinet on Wednesday approved setting up of Peru-based International Potato Center's south Asia regional research unit in Agra at an investment of over Rs 111 crore. The aim of establishing the regional centre is to explore the potential of potato sector in India to generate employment opportunities by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, better post-harvest management and value-addition. India is the second largest producer of potato in the world after China. "High-yielding, nutrient and climate-resilient varieties of potato and sweet potato developed by South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC), making use of world-class science and innovation, will significantly accelerate the sustainable development of the potato and sweet potato sectors not only in India but also in the south Asia region," said a govt statement. "The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers' income, and job creation..." it added. The Uttar Pradesh govt has already allocated 10 acres for the research centre at Singna in Agra. Union information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, briefing reporters on the cabinet decision, said research at the centre will also focus on seed production, pest management, sustainable production, and training of farmers. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Cabinet nod for world potato centre in Agra
New Delhi: 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 Peru-based premier research-for-development organisation focuses on potato and sweet potato. The UP government has already provided 10 hectares of land for the project as the Centre will invest Rs 111 crore. The Centre is expected to serve farmers, not only in potato-belt states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal, but also cater to South Asian countries. "The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition," said a statement.
Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Cabinet approves establishment of International Potato Center's South Asia regional centre at Agra
The Centre on Wednesday cleared a proposal to set up a regional centre of the Peru-based International Potato Center (CIP)— a premier research-for-development organisation founded in 1971 with a focus on potato and sweet potato—in India. The CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) will come up at Singna in Agra and will not only serve farmers in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal but also cater to South Asian countries. The cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved a proposal from the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to establish the CSARC. 'The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweet potato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition,' said an official statement issued after the cabinet meeting. 'The potato sector in India has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities in production sector, processing sector, packaging, transportation, marketing, value chain, etc. Hence, in order to untap and explore the huge potential in this sector, International Potato Centre (CIP)'s south Asia regional Centre is being established at Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh. High-yielding, nutrient and climate-resilient varieties of potato and sweet potato developed by CSARC will significantly accelerate the sustainable development of the potato and sweet potato sectors not only in India but in the South Asia region also through world-class science and innovation,' the statement added. The decision follows a letter Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrote to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan six months ago demanding the early establishment of a CIP regional centre in Agra. An agriculture ministry delegation led by Agriculture Secretary Devesh Chaturvedi visited Peru recently. Potatoes are native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes in South America. The entire project, to come up on 10 hectares of land provided by the UP government, will cost $20 million (about Rs 160 crore), of which India will contribute $13 million and the CIP $7 million, according to sources. The CSARC will focus on the development of new varieties that are climate-resilient, disease-free, and suitable for processing, the sources added. China set up a similar CIP centre, known as the China Center for Asia Pacific, in Yanqing, Beijing in 2017. It serves the entire East Asia and the Pacific region. The CSARC will be the second major international agricultural research institution to set up operations in India, The regional centre of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), established in Varanasi, was the first. Two centres of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) work on tuber crops–the Shimla-based ICAR-CPRI (Central Potato Research Institute) working on potatoes and the Thiruvananthapuram-based ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute) working on sweet potato. India ranks number two in potato production and consumption, after China. In 2020, China produced 78.24 million tonnes of potatoes and India 51.30 million tonnes of the crop, together accounting for over one-third of the global production of 359.07 million tonnes. Uttar Pradesh (15 million tonnes), West Bengal (15 million tonnes), and Bihar (9 million tonnes) were the top three potato producers in India in 2020-21. Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab also produce significant amounts of potatoes. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
After China, India set to get regional centre of Peru-based premier potato institute
The Central Government is likely to clear a proposal to set up a regional centre of Peru-based International Potato Center (CIP), a premier research-for-development organisation with a focus on potato and sweet potato, in India. The proposed centre — CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CIP-SARC) — will come up in Agra, and will serve farmers not only in potato belt states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal but also cater to South Asian countries. It is learnt that the Union Cabinet is likely to soon approve a proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to set up the centre. The development comes months after Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath wrote to the Centre, seeking early establishment of a regional centre of the CIP in the district of Agra. Recently, an Agriculture Ministry delegation led by Devesh Chaturvedi, Agriculture Secretary, visited Peru. Highlighting the delay in the establishment of the centre, Adityanath wrote a letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on January 20. In the letter, Adityanath urged Chouhan to direct the officials concerned in his ministry to pave the way for the early establishment of the International Potato Center (CIP)- South Asia Regional Center at Singana, Agra. The sources say that the project will be worth $20 million (about Rs 160 crore), of which India will contribute $13 million, while the remaining $7 million will be funded by CIP. The UP government has provided 10 hectares of land for the proposed Centre. The CIP-SARC will work not only for UP but for the entire country and South Asia, said sources, adding that the proposed centre will focus on the development of new varieties, which are climate resilient, disease-free, and are suitable for processing. It will bring global science expertise, an extensive global innovation network and global genetic resources, said the sources. The proposed centre in Agra comes 8 years after China set up a similar CIP centre. The CIP's China centre, known as the China Center for Asia Pacific (CCCAP), was established in Yanqing, Beijing, in 2017. Apart from China, the centre serves the entire East Asia and the Pacific region. Headquartered in Lima, Peru, the CIP was founded in 1971 as a research-for-development organisation with a focus on potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers. The potato crop is native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes in South America. The proposed CIP-SARC will be the second major international agricultural research institution to set up its operations in India. In 2017, the Agriculture Ministry supported the establishment of a regional centre of the Philippines-based International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The IRRI-SARC is established in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's parliamentary constituency. As of now, at least two different centres of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) work on tuber crops. While the Shimla-based ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) is working on potato, the Thiruvananthapuram-based ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) is working on sweet potato. China is the top potato producer and consumer in the world, and it is followed by India. In 2020, China's potato production was recorded at 78.24 million tonnes, while India recorded a production of 51.30 million tonnes. Both countries accounted for over one-third of the global potato production (359.07 million tonnes). In India, Uttar Pradesh (15 million tonnes), West Bengal (15 million tonnes), and Bihar (9 million tonnes) were the top three potato producers in 2020-21. The other states having significant potato production are Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
