PM Modi launches three new potato varieties of CPRI Shimla

Diary Times News Service

New Delhi, August 12: Promoting agricultural innovation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched three new potato varieties developed by the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) Shimla. The varieties, named Kufri Chipsona-5, Kufri Bhaskar and Kufri Jamunia, were launched during an event at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister also released 109 high-yielding, climate-resilient and bio-fortified crop varieties.

CPRI scientists have been working on these potato varieties since 2013, aimed at meeting the needs of the processing industry and adapting to challenges posed by climate change. CPRI Director Dr. Brajesh Singh highlighted that these varieties are designed for processing, are heat resistant and are rich in nutrients.

Kufri Chipsona-5, the latest variety in the Kufri Chipsona series, designed for the processing industry, matures in just 90 days, which is significantly faster than its predecessors that took 100-110 days. This variety is expected to increase the efficiency and yield of potato farmers.

Kufri Bhaskar, another newly introduced variety, is engineered to withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for cultivation in hot regions like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. This variety can mature in an environment where the temperature is 2 to 3 degrees higher than normal, providing a significant solution for farmers in these regions.

The third variety, Kufri Jamunia, is known for its health benefits. It is rich in antioxidants and contains carotene anthocyanin, which is known to have cancer-fighting properties. The unique thing is that both the skin and pulp of Kufri Jamunia are purple, a feature shared with the earlier developed Kufri Neelkanth.

Dr. Alok Kumar, Head, Social Sciences Department, CPRI, emphasized on the efforts being made to promote these new potato varieties among farmers. During a farmers’ gathering at the Indian Agricultural Research Centre, Modipuram, Meerut, Dr. S. K. Luthra and Dr. Vijay Kishor Gupta gave detailed information about the unique properties and benefits of these varieties.

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