News on Potato Varieties and Seed from India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Banas Dairy's expanded French fries plant at Sanadar, Banaskantha, Gujarat, raising capacity from 2 to 5 tonnes per hour with a ₹51.65 crore investment in India's potato processing.

The Netherlands will host a dedicated lounge at Global Potato Summit 2026 in Gujarat, India, on December 16–17, connecting Dutch companies with Indian partners to promote cooperation in seed potatoes, processing, storage, and innovation.

India and the Netherlands are strengthening cooperation in the seed sector through the India–Netherlands Seed Partnership. A recent mission included ministerial talks and a seed-sector business roundtable focused on future collaboration.

ICAR-CPRI's Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Pukhraj and Kufri Chipsona-1 together cover nearly 75% of India's potato cultivation area. The varieties have boosted productivity, farmer incomes and the potato processing sector.

PAU Ludhiana has released four potato varieties—PP-101, PP-102, PP-103 and PP-104. Yields range from 142–184 quintals/acre, with PP-103 offering early harvest and PP-104 moderate late-blight resistance. Seed is now available.

Uttar Pradesh plans a dedicated potato export facility at Noida International Airport in Jewar, along with a 50-acre Agri Export Hub featuring processing, packaging and gamma-radiation treatment facilities.

Harinder Farms participated in the 2nd Punjab Potato Growers Kissan Mela in Mullanpur Dakha, Punjab, showcasing seed potato varieties and engaging with farmers on variety selection, crop care, agronomy and market requirements.

ITC subsidiary Technico is adding 60 controlled-environment greenhouses to expand its aeroponic potato seed facility, raising TECHNITUBER mini-tuber capacity to 100 million and boosting disease-free seed production for potato growers.

India has notified ICAR-CPRI’s new potato varieties Kufri Abhedya and Kufri Ruby. The varieties offer higher yield, disease resistance and market potential, with Kufri Abhedya benefiting farmers in Himachal Pradesh and other hill regions.

Madhya Pradesh is emerging as a strategic hub for India’s French fry potato industry, driven by early harvests, suitable soil conditions, rising processor-grade cultivation, and expanding cold storage and agro-processing infrastructure.

ICAR–Central Potato Research Institute, Regional Station, Modipuram, Meerut, organized a one-day National Potato Fair–2026 on the occasion of National Potato Day, bringing together farmers, scientists, industry representatives and other stakeholders.

Harinder Farms, in Punjab, India successfully organized the 3rd Innovative Seed Show, bringing together potato growers, farmers, and agricultural stakeholders to exchange knowledge and discuss the future of crop production and seed potato systems.

As the Union Budget 2026 is unveiled, India’s potato sector has urged the government to take decisive and time-bound policy action to transform the industry into a strong driver of farmer income growth, food processing expansion and export-led development.

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.

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.

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.

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.