CIP and AGIS-CAAS establish a joint laboratory to advance potato breeding innovation and strengthen global food security

The International Potato Center (CIP) and the Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen (AGIS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), signed a cooperation agreement in Shenzhen on March 19, 2026, establishing the CIP & AGIS-CAAS Joint Laboratory. The collaboration targets frontier research areas, including potato germplasm innovation, hybrid potato breeding, and green pest and disease management to strengthen global food security and nutrition through advanced agricultural science and technology.

The laboratory was jointly inaugurated by Huang Sanwen, President of CAAS and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Simon Heck, Director General of CIP; Hugo Campos, Deputy Director General of CIP; Xie Jianmin, Director of CCCAP; Wang Guirong, Director of AGIS; and Tong Jixu, Deputy Director of AGIS. The cooperation agreement was officially signed by Simon Heck and Wang Guirong.
 

Partnership focuses on innovation and global food security

Simon Heck, Director General of CIP:

"Potato is a cornerstone crop for global food security, nutrition improvement, and smallholder livelihoods. China is a world leader in agricultural genomics, diploid hybrid potato breeding, and molecular breeding. CIP brings globally unparalleled potato germplasm collections, an extensive international research network, and proven technology delivery systems. By combining our strengths, this partnership will accelerate the discovery, development, and scaling of breakthrough varieties and solutions, delivering stronger support for potato-based development across Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the world."

The joint initiative integrates complementary strengths. AGIS provides expertise in agricultural genomics, diploid hybrid breeding, and molecular breeding, while CIP contributes global germplasm resources, international research partnerships, and technology dissemination systems. The two institutions will work closely to accelerate research, innovation, and the development of high-impact potato varieties.

 

Building on existing collaboration and global initiatives

In recent years, CIP and AGIS have strengthened cooperation through initiatives such as the Global Hybrid Potato Alliance, the sharing of the variety “U Potato 1” as a global public good, and the deployment of hybrid potato technologies in Africa. These efforts support the objectives of FAO South-South Cooperation and contribute to global food security.

Going forward, the partners will use the joint laboratory as a platform to expand cooperation in germplasm innovation, technology research and development, and industrial adoption. By increasing access to hybrid potato and advanced breeding technologies, the initiative aims to enhance global food system resilience, support the development of the potato sector, and contribute to a more sustainable food future.