Agra, Uttar Pradesh, August 6, 2025 – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s push to make Agra a global hub for potato farming is gaining momentum. The South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International Potato Centre (CIP), based in Peru, is set to be established in Singna village, Agra, marking a big step for farmers and the region’s economy. Here’s the latest on this ambitious project.
On Tuesday, August 5, CM Yogi met with a delegation led by CIP’s Director General, Dr. Simon Heck, to discuss the project’s progress. The state has already provided 10 hectares of land for free, and the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the plan in June with a budget of ₹171 crore—India contributing ₹111 crore and CIP adding ₹60 crore. The centre aims to boost potato and sweet potato farming through research on climate-resilient, disease-free varieties and better seed production. “This will put UP on the global map for agricultural innovation,” Yogi said, emphasising benefits for farmers’ incomes and job creation.
Agra, a key part of India’s potato belt, produces a significant chunk of the country’s 50 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes annually, with UP alone contributing 35%. The CSARC will train farmers using advanced techniques and focus on sustainable farming and processing to reduce waste and boost exports. Unlike existing centres like the ICAR’s Central Potato Research Institute in Shimla, this facility will serve not just India but also South Asian countries like Bangladesh and Nepal.
However, challenges remain. Farmers in Agra have long faced low prices due to oversupply, with some dumping crops when costs outweigh profits. The centre aims to address this by developing high-yield varieties and improving market access. During the meeting, Yogi suggested using existing agricultural science centres to train farmers while construction progresses, ensuring quicker benefits. The project, delayed by nine months as Yogi noted in a January letter to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, is now on a fast track, with construction set to begin soon.
The CIP centre, modeled after one in China established in 2017, is expected to create jobs in processing, packaging, and marketing, alongside farming. With UP leading India’s potato production, this initiative could help close the yield gap with states like West Bengal, which produces more per hectare. As the project takes shape, it promises to transform Agra into a hub for innovation, supporting farmers and strengthening food security across the region.
