News on Potato Varieties and Seed from Asia

Bihar Government launches Lady Rosetta Potato Expansion Scheme offering farmers 75% subsidy for chips & French fries variety. Applications open till Jan 15, 2026 across 17 districts, boosting farmers’ income and high-value potato cultivation.

Sandip Thakker, Founder of SK Group, was honoured as 'Pioneer of Potato Export' at GPS 2025 for building export-ready infrastructure, contract farming, cold-chain systems and positioning India as a global, value-added potato supplier.

One of the standout highlights of the first day of the Global Potato Summit 2025 was the Indian Potato Industry Excellence Awards, a platform created to honor leadership, innovation and impact across India’s potato value chain.

Scientists in Pakistan’s most populous Punjab province have developed a potato variety capable of withstanding smoggy conditions, as authorities seek to protect the crop from the growing impact of air pollution, state media reported this week.

Harinder Farms hosted a 10-day Dutch expert visit to strengthen its seed potato pipeline, sharing global best practices in field management, soil health, and post-harvest care, boosting early-generation seeds and farmer awareness for higher yields.

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.

M S International joins the Global Potato Summit 2025 as a Bronze Sponsor, highlighting export strength, infrastructure, and its farm-to-world model. MSI leaders will join panels and partnerships to strengthen India’s global potato role.

In a major addition to its agri-infrastructure portfolio, NBCC India Ltd has received a project valued at INR 42.37 crore (USD 5.08 million) from the National Horticulture Board for the development of the proposed International Potato Centre in Agra.

Pakistan and KOICA discussed a feasibility study for a Seed Potato Production Centre at PARC, Islamabad. The project aims to cut seed imports, boost yields with Korean tech like aeroponics, and supply virus-free certified seed to over 100,000 farmers.

Kazakhstan may reintroduce potato export limits as shipments near the 500–600K-tonne threshold set to protect domestic supply. Authorities say high regional demand drove price spikes earlier, but current stocks and prices have now stabilised.

For India’s French-fry industry, the journey to global excellence begins not in the plant but in the field. Every step - from aerating seed stores to loading trucks - defines the quality that reaches international markets.

Banas Dairy and BBSSL signed an MoU to build a seed-to-market potato value chain, producing certified seed potatoes and promoting cooperative growth to boost farmer productivity, innovation, and income under the 'Sahakar se Samriddhi' vision.

Nepal’s First Choice Foods has begun exporting its “Himalayan Crisp” and “Hamro Fries” French fries to the United States marking a stunning milestone for the country’s food industry.

Bangladesh faces a potato surplus as industrial use remains limited. Only 3–4% of production is processed, leaving farmers with losses of BDT 10–15/kg. Experts urge investment in processing, storage, and diversification to boost farmer income.

India has rapidly evolved from a minor importer to a leading global exporter of frozen french fries, driven by innovation in potato processing, contract farming, and technology centered in Gujarat, transforming its agricultural landscape into a world-class food industry.

APEDA & Media Today held the Potato Stakeholders Meet to boost India’s potato exports. Led by APEDA Chairman Abhishek Dev, leaders discussed export growth, quality, value addition & policy support. Global Potato Summit 2025 to showcase Indian Potato Power.

Technico Agri Sciences Ltd., Gold Partner of Global Potato Summit 2025, will unveil innovative potato seed varieties for chips, fries & table use—advancing sustainability, productivity & quality in India’s potato value chain.

Mahindra HZPC will unveil seven next-gen seed potato varieties at the Global Potato Summit 2025, boosting yield, quality, and sustainability under CEO Davinder Singh Dosanjh’s leadership. Empowering farmers and advancing agri-innovation.