Bio-Fortified Potatoes with Iron Coming Soon to India
India to Launch Iron-Rich Bio-Fortified Potatoes to Boost Nutrition and Farmer Incomes
Lucknow | 4, August 2025 : India will soon get bio-fortified potatoes. These potatoes have more iron. They are good for health. Dr. Simon Heck, head of the International Potato Center (CIP), shared this news. He spoke during his visit to Agra.
New Potato Center in Agra
CIP has opened a new center near Agra. It is called the South Asia Regional Centre. The government gave the land. It also approved ₹111.5 crore to build the center. This area grows a lot of potatoes. So, it is the perfect place.
Better Potatoes Already in Testing
Iron-rich potatoes have already been released in Peru. Now, India is testing them too. The seeds were sent to ICAR’s Potato Research Institute in Shimla. Once testing is done, farmers in India will get them.
Sweet Potatoes with Vitamin A
CIP has also worked on sweet potatoes. These are full of Vitamin A. Farmers in Odisha, Karnataka, Assam, and West Bengal already grow them. They are orange on the inside and help fight vitamin problems.
Helping Farmers Get Better Seeds
Many farmers do not get good seeds. Or they get them too late. CIP wants to fix that. It is working with Indian companies and research centers. They want farmers to get the right seeds, at the right time.
Potatoes in School Meals
CIP wants to add healthy potatoes to school meals. These meals are served in many schools. Adding iron-rich potatoes will help children grow strong. It will also help farmers by creating more demand.
Better Prices Through Planning
The new center will work with other countries too. These include Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Together, they will help farmers get better prices. They plan to spread harvest times to avoid low prices during surplus.
India Can Lead the World
India grows a lot of potatoes. Soon, it may grow the most in the world. States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal lead the way. Big food companies are also investing in potato farms in India.
Also Read : UP Launches ‘One Block, One Crop’ to Boost Farming Growth
