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).

Potato (Solanum tuberosum)

• 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.

Cultivation Profile

• 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.

Production Status

• 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.