The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare to set up the International Potato Centre’s South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) at Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

The hub will focus on raising food and nutrition security, boosting farmers’ incomes and generating rural employment by improving the productivity, post-harvest handling and value-addition of potatoes and sweet potatoes.

India’s potato industry already supports jobs in cultivation, processing, packaging, transport and marketing. Officials say the new Agra facility will unlock far greater potential by developing high-yielding, nutrient-rich and climate-resilient varieties suited to South Asian conditions. Advanced research and innovation at CSARC are expected to benefit growers not only in India but across the region.