The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a pivotal proposal to establish the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Centre (CIP) at Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
This initiative is poised to transform India’s tuber crop sector with far-reaching benefits for food and nutrition security, farmer income, and job creation.
The strategic investment, led by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, marks a significant milestone in India’s agricultural innovation. By focusing on high-yielding, climate-resilient varieties of potato and sweet potato, the new centre will address challenges in post-harvest management and stimulate value-added agribusiness opportunities.
Officials underscore that the potato sector offers vast employment potential across production, processing, marketing, and transportation. The CSARC will serve as a hub for cutting-edge research and capacity building, not just for India but across South Asia.
The Centre will also integrate global best practices and scientific innovations to support sustainable development goals, creating ripple effects for both rural prosperity and regional food systems.
This development reinforces Agra’s emerging role as an agri-tech nucleus and underscores the Modi government’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income through infrastructure and innovation.
