Latest news with #CSARC
Time of India
05-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Agra to emerge as global hub for tuber crop innovation
1 2 Lucknow: In an effort to position Uttar Pradesh as an international agricultural hub, the International Potato Centre (CIP), Peru, is set to establish its South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) in Agra. The institute is proposed to conduct world-class research on tuber crops such as potato and sweet potato. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday met a delegation led by director general of CIP, Peru, Dr Simon Heck to review the progress of the project. The delegation comprised CIP country manager Neeraj Sharma, senior advisor (South Asia) Raman Abrol, and South Asia head of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) Sudhanshu Singh. At the meeting, Yogi emphasised the need to begin farmer training using CIP technologies through Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) until the centre's construction at Singna village in Agra district is completed. He also called for prioritising research on other tuber crops in addition to potatoes. Yogi said the upcoming centre would be instrumental in enhancing farmers' incomes, strengthening the food processing sector, and positioning Uttar Pradesh as an international agricultural hub. He said that UP is India's top potato-producing state, accounting for 35% of the national output. In 2024–25, the state produced 244 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes over 6.96 lakh hectares, with Agra alone cultivating potatoes on 76,000 hectares. Despite such significant production, there remains a shortage of quality seeds and processing-grade varieties — a gap that CSARC aims to bridge. In June, the Union cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved Rs 111.50 crore for the establishment of this centre. CSARC is envisioned as a global model for seed innovation, apical-rooted cuttings, germplasm conservation, and value chain development. It will provide cutting-edge technology and training to farmers in collaboration with ICAR, state agricultural universities, and private sector partners. Established in 1971 in Peru, CIP operates in over 20 countries and has completed five decades of research in India, making significant strides in developing climate-resilient varieties, pest management solutions, and nutritionally enhanced crops. An MoA between Govt of India and CIP was signed on July 28. Simon Heck thanked the CM for his unwavering support, stating that CSARC will not only raise farmers' incomes but also establish UP as the potato innovation hub of South Asia.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- 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
Indian Express
25-06-2025
- 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
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CIP Centre Agra: Cabinet clears potato R&D hub in UP; Rs 111.5 crore push to raise farmer incomes, yields
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. 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 move is expected to enhance food and nutrition security while raising farmer incomes and creating employment opportunities across the potato value chain. India is the world's second-largest producer of potatoes, with Uttar Pradesh being the top-producing state. The regional centre will focus on critical areas like seed production, pest management, sustainable farming, and farmer training. The centre will focus on improving the productivity of potatoes and sweet potatoes through advanced research, better post-harvest practices, and innovations in value addition. According to the government, the CSARC will play a key role in unlocking the untapped potential of India's potato sector, creating jobs in production, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing. 'The high-yielding, nutrient-rich and climate-resilient varieties developed at this regional centre will not only benefit India but will also contribute to sustainable agricultural development across South Asia,' the PIB press release stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Uber luxury living at Hyderabad's billionaire junction Sumadhura Group Learn More Undo As per the government, the centre will also strengthen post-harvest management and value-addition chains, contributing to employment generation across sectors like packaging, transportation, and marketing. The Uttar Pradesh government has already allocated 10 hectares of land free of cost for the centre. The Union government will provide financial support of Rs 111.5 crore for the project, in collaboration with the UP government and international bodies. The facility is expected to accelerate innovation through world-class scientific research, making India a key player in the region's potato and sweet potato ecosystem. The initiative aligns with India's broader goals of agricultural sustainability and rural economic development. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
