International Potato Center (CIP) in Agra, Objectives and Importance

Context: The Union Cabinet has recently approved a proposal by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to set up the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Center (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

International Potato Center (CIP) in Agra: Importance

• Agra is part of India’s major ‘potato belt’, along with Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal.
• A CIP centre in India would benefit Indian farmers and other South Asian countries by:
  • Developing new climate-resilient and disease-free potato varieties.
  • Supporting scientific research and global innovation in potato farming.
  • Strengthening the processing and export capabilities of Indian farmers.
• China established a similar centre in 2017 in Yanqing, Beijing, which supports East Asia and the Pacific region.

India’s Existing Potato and Tuber Research Centers

• ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), Shimla – Specialises in potato research.
• ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI), Thiruvananthapuram – Specialises in sweet potato research.

About International Potato Center (CIP)

• International Potato Center (CIP) is a Peru-based research-for-development organisation. It was founded in 1971 (HQ – Lima, Peru).
• It focuses on:
  • Potato and sweet potato research.
  • Andean roots and tubers (native to the Peruvian-Bolivian Andes in South America).

• Mission:
  • Provide science-based solutions to improve access to affordable, nutritious food
  • Promote sustainable businesses and employment growth
  • Enhance the climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems

• Headquarters:
  • Located in Lima, Peru
  • CIP has research operations in over 20 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America

• The CIP-SARC in Agra will be the second major international agricultural research centre in India.
• In 2017, the Agriculture Ministry supported the establishment of the International Rice Research Institute-South Asia Regional Center (IRRI-SARC) in Varanasi.

Global Association

• CIP is a part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
• CGIAR focuses on transforming food, land, and water systems amid the climate crisis.
• Research is conducted by 13 CGIAR Centres/Alliances in collaboration with national and international partners.

Potato Production

• Top Potato Producing Countries: (1) China (2) India (3) Russia.
  • China and India together account for over one-third of global potato production.
• Top Potato Producing States in India: (1) UP (2) West Bengal (3) Bihar.

Potato Production in India

• Global Rank: India is the 2nd largest producer and consumer of potatoes.
• Major Potato-Growing States:
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • West Bengal
  • Bihar
  • Gujarat
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Punjab
• Existing Research Institutions in India:
  • ICAR-CPRI (Central Potato Research Institute), Shimla – works on potato research
  • ICAR-CTCRI (Central Tuber Crops Research Institute), Thiruvananthapuram – focuses on sweetpotato research

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