NEWS

• Bio-fortified potatoes enriched with iron will soon be available in India.
• Developed by the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru.

HIGHLIGHTS

Ongoing Trials & Collaboration

• Germplasm shared with ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla.
• First iron-rich variety released in Peru, now undergoing Indian trials.
• Adaptation to Indian agro-climatic conditions is underway.

 Success with Sweet Potatoes

• Bio-fortified sweet potatoes (vitamin A-enriched) already available in:
  • Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, Odisha
• CIP aims to expand seed access to more farmers.

New Regional Centre in Agra

• CIP South Asia Regional Centre to be set up near Agra, in India’s potato belt.
• Location lies in the Indo-Gangetic Plains—world’s largest potato-producing zone.
• Uttar Pradesh Government provided land via the National Horticulture Board.
• MoU signed with Union Agriculture Ministry in July 2025.

Goals: Nutrition & Market Access

• Ensure nutritious potatoes reach vulnerable groups via mid-day meals.
• Empower farmers with:
  • Timely access to high-quality seeds
  • Integration into food processing market chains
• Work with private firms to build seed multiplication capacity.