In a strategic move to boost agricultural innovation and value-chain development, the Government of India has approved the establishment of the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Centre (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. The decision, cleared by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is expected to unlock new opportunities in food security, rural employment, and agri-tech development across the region.

The CSARC will focus on advancing high-yielding, nutrient-rich, and climate-resilient varieties of potato and sweet potato, alongside cutting-edge research in post-harvest technologies and value addition. The initiative aligns with India’s broader agenda to increase farmers’ incomes, enhance nutritional outcomes, and catalyze job creation in allied sectors—from processing and packaging to logistics and marketing.

Located in Singna, Agra, the new centre positions India as a regional hub for root and tuber crop research and innovation. The potato sector—with its strong linkages to smallholder livelihoods and potential for industrial scale-up—is seen as a key lever in India’s agricultural transformation. By localizing the work of CIP, a CGIAR research center headquartered in Peru, India aims to drive scalable solutions that not only serve domestic needs but also strengthen regional food systems across South Asia.

The centre will play a pivotal role in translating global science into local impact, with an emphasis on climate-smart practices, biofortification, and supply chain resilience. Officials noted that the CSARC will serve as a platform for collaborative research, public-private partnerships, and cross-border knowledge exchange, contributing to India’s emergence as an innovation leader in agri-food systems.