International Potato Center and HyFarm form strategic partnership to advance processing-grade potato sector in India

The International Potato Center (CIP) and HyFarm, the agri-business unit of HyFun Foods, have announced a strategic partnership to advance India’s processing-grade potato sector through scientific collaboration, technology exchange, and farmer-focused innovation. Formalized through a newly signed Inter-institutional Framework Collaboration Agreement, the partnership establishes a strong foundation for research cooperation, capacity building, and climate-smart agricultural development.

Research-driven partnership to strengthen Indias processing potato value chain

Soundararadjane Santhanakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer at HyFarm:

"Partnering with CIP strengthens HyFarm’s commitment to empowering farmers with better varieties, better technologies, and better market opportunities. This collaboration will boost India’s potato R&D ecosystem and help us build one of the world’s most efficient, future-ready potato supply chains."

CIP, a CGIAR research center and global leader in potato, sweetpotato, and root and tuber crop innovation, brings more than five decades of science-driven expertise across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. HyFarm, one of India’s fastest-growing integrated potato enterprises, is pioneering a phygital (physical + digital) farming ecosystem that blends precision agriculture, traceability, soil intelligence, and regenerative practices to improve productivity and profitability for growers.

Focus on varietal improvement, seed systems and climate-smart cultivation

Together, the two organizations aim to accelerate varietal improvement, strengthen seed systems, and enhance climate resilience while supporting HyFarm’s long-term goal of engaging 30,000 farmers and procuring 1 million metric tonnes of potatoes annually by 2029.

Under the new collaboration, CIP and HyFarm will work jointly to advance India’s potato research and innovation landscape through coordinated scientific exchange, training, and joint research initiatives.

The partnership will facilitate the exchange of germplasm and the development of improved potato varieties suited for processing and climate resilience; support the modernization of seed multiplication systems and integrated crop management practices; promote environmentally responsible cultivation methods; and expand opportunities for farmer education, laboratory support, and professional exchanges. The collaboration also includes joint studies on processing quality, climate adaptation, and sustainable intensification of potato-based agri-food systems, as well as cooperative resource mobilization for future projects.

Neeraj Sharma, Country Manager–India & Interim Director at CIP South Asia Regional Center:

"This collaboration represents a powerful combination between cutting-edge research and an ambitious, farmer-focused private-sector initiative. By combining CIP’s scientific expertise with HyFarm’s innovation-driven value chain, we aim to accelerate varietal improvement, climate resilience, and sustainability for India’s potato farmers."