International Potato Centre at Agra

Context (IE): The Cabinet approved the CIP–South Asia Regional Centre (CIP–SARC) at Agra, Uttar Pradesh, to promote climate-resilient potato cultivation across South Asia.
The CSARC will focus on the development of climate resilient, disease-free new varieties.

About International Potato Centre (CIP)

CIP is a global research organisation founded in 1971 dedicated to improving potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers cultivation for sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
Headquarters: Lima, Peru.
Mandate: Focuses on food security, nutrition, climate resilience, and poverty reduction.
Germplasm bank: Hosts the global gene bank in Lima.
Regional presence: Has two regional centres in Asia—China (2017) and India (2025).

Native to the Andes in Latin America. It was introduced in India by the Portuguese in the 17th century.
It is the 3^rd most available food crop in the world after rice and wheat.
Nutritional value: Rich in carbohydrates, vitamin C, potassium, and fibre.
Traits: Short-duration, high-yielding, and widely consumed.

Growing season: Mainly a Rabi crop (Oct–Mar) in northern India.
Climate needs: Ideal growth at 24°C; tuber formation at 20°C; yield drops above 30°C.
Soil preference: Needs well-drained alluvial soils; Indo-Gangetic plains produce 85%.
Crop risks: Prone to late blight, tuber moth, and heat stress.

India is the 2nd largest global producer and consumer after China.
- India and China produce about one-third of the world’s output.
Top states: Major producers include Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar.

ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR–CPRI), Shimla: Research on improved varieties and disease control.
ICAR–Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR–CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram: Works on sweet potato and other tropical tuber crops.