Improved potato varieties on the wayy

The Shimla-based Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), in association with the Peru-based International Potato Center, is working on a project to develop early-bulking, heat-resistant and short-duration (70-75 days) varieties.

Currently, the maturity period for the crop is 85-90 days.

The research is at the test stage. If all goes well, farmers would be able to harvest three crops a year.

CPRI Director B P Singh told Business Standard: “In future, potato has to emerge from just a vegetable to a serious food security option. Considering the rapid growth in potato processing, increasing population and its (proposed) future role in providing food security, we’re working on this project.”

CPRI has so far developed and released 52 high-yielding varieties, for cultivation under diverse agro-climatic conditions. CPRI varieties occupy almost the entire potato growing area in the country. The known ones are Kufri Jyoti (26 per cent of the total area under potato), Kufri Bahar(14-16 per cent) and Kufri Pukhraj (seven-eight per cent). Uttar Pradesh is the leading producer, followed by West Bengal and Bihar.

India produced 45.3 million tonnes from 1.9 million hectares in 2012-13. Potato is sown in both kharif and rabi seasons. This year, the area would be a little over two million hectares. The kharif produce accounts for five per cent of total annual output, available between August and October. The remaining 95 per cent comes into the market between mid-December and mid-April, the rabi produce, stored till November.

Singh said that the estimated demand in 2050 would be 125 mt and the yield 34.51 tonnes a hectare. About 3.6 mn ha would be needed to meet the demand.