New releases aim to boost yields, heat resilience and chip-processing quality, strengthening farmer–industry linkages

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has notified four new potato varieties developed by the ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, for seed production and multiplication across India. Approved on the recommendations of the Central Seed Committee, the varieties—Kufri Ratan, Kufri Tejas, Kufri Chipbharat-1 and Kufri Chipbharat-2—are expected to enhance productivity, improve processing efficiency and expand choices for farmers and the potato processing industry.

Calling the notification a major milestone, Dr. Brajesh Singh, Director, ICAR-CPRI, said the new varieties would support both table and processing segments, contributing to higher farm incomes and a stronger potato value chain. He congratulated CPRI scientists for their sustained research efforts and noted that the releases align with India’s growing demand for quality seed and processing-grade potatoes.

Region-specific advantages

Kufri Ratan: A medium-maturing (around 90 days), high-yielding red-skinned table potato producing 37–39 tonnes per hectare. With wide adaptability across the North Indian plains and plateau regions, it offers attractive tubers and excellent storability.

Kufri Tejas: A heat-tolerant, medium-maturing table variety yielding 37–40 tonnes per hectare, suitable for plains regions including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is known for good storability under ambient conditions.

Kufri Chipbharat-1: A medium-maturing (about 100 days) chip-processing variety yielding 35–38 tonnes per hectare. It has high dry matter content (around 21 per cent), low reducing sugars and produces chips of acceptable colour, making it suitable for processors in the Indian plains.

Kufri Chipbharat-2: An early-maturing (around 90 days) chip-processing variety with yields of 35–37 tonnes per hectare. It combines high dry matter, low reducing sugars and excellent storability, ensuring a consistent raw material supply for the processing industry.

Dr. Salej Sood noted that the new releases reaffirm ICAR-CPRI’s focus on region-specific innovations that address climate stress, market requirements and industry demand. He added that the varieties would play a key role in improving crop resilience, enhancing farmer profitability and strengthening linkages between farmers and the potato processing sector.

With nationwide notification now in place, the new varieties are expected to see rapid adoption in seed multiplication programmes, supporting India’s position as one of the world’s leading potato producers.