International Potato Centre (CIP)

Source: IE

Context: The Union Cabinet has approved the establishment of a global potato research centre in Agra, a regional wing of the International Potato Centre (CIP), Peru.

• The CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) will cater to potato-producing Indian states and South Asian nations.

About the International Potato Centre (CIP):

• What it is? A global research organization under CGIAR, based in Peru, working on potato, sweet potato, and Andean tubers.

• A global research organization under CGIAR, based in Peru, working on potato, sweet potato, and Andean tubers.

• Established: 1971 and began India operations in 1975 via ICAR collaboration.

• CIP Network: Active across South America, Africa, and Asia.

• Headquarter: Lima, Peru.

About CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC):

• Location: Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

• Budget: ₹171 crore (India – ₹111.5 crore; CIP – ₹60 crore).

• Region Served: India and neighbouring South Asian countries.

• Objectives of CSARC:

• Boost productivity of potato and sweet potato through high-quality seeds. Enhance farmer income via processing, value addition, and exports. Ensure food and nutrition security in climate-vulnerable areas. Develop climate-resilient and disease-free varieties.

• Boost productivity of potato and sweet potato through high-quality seeds.

• Enhance farmer income via processing, value addition, and exports.

• Ensure food and nutrition security in climate-vulnerable areas.

• Develop climate-resilient and disease-free varieties.

• Functions of CSARC:

• Seed Innovation: Access global potato germplasm for better yield. Climate Research: Develop heat-tolerant, drought-resistant potato varieties. Post-Harvest Tech: Support storage, processing, and packaging innovations. Farmer Support: Train Indian and South Asian farmers in best practices. Market Linkage: Strengthen domestic value chains and export potential.

• Seed Innovation: Access global potato germplasm for better yield.

• Climate Research: Develop heat-tolerant, drought-resistant potato varieties.

• Post-Harvest Tech: Support storage, processing, and packaging innovations.

• Farmer Support: Train Indian and South Asian farmers in best practices.

• Market Linkage: Strengthen domestic value chains and export potential.

• Significance for India:

• Second-Largest Producer: India produced 51.3 million tonnes (2020). Yield Gap: Indian average – 25 tonnes/ha and potential – 50 tonnes/ha. Seed Self-Reliance: Reduces dependence on seed imports from neighbours. Boost to Agri Exports: Enhances capacity to export processed products. R&D Expansion: After IRRI-VNS, this is the second global Agri centre in India.

• Second-Largest Producer: India produced 51.3 million tonnes (2020).

• Yield Gap: Indian average – 25 tonnes/ha and potential – 50 tonnes/ha.

• Seed Self-Reliance: Reduces dependence on seed imports from neighbours.

• Boost to Agri Exports: Enhances capacity to export processed products.

• R&D Expansion: After IRRI-VNS, this is the second global Agri centre in India.

• India and Potato:

• Global Rank: India is 2nd in production, after China (78 MT). Top States: UP (15 MT), WB (15 MT), Bihar (9 MT).

• Global Rank: India is 2nd in production, after China (78 MT).

• Top States: UP (15 MT), WB (15 MT), Bihar (9 MT).