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Union Cabinet approved a
proposal to set up the South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) of the International
Potato Centre (CIP) in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
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The proposal was
initiated by the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare to improve
food and nutritional security in the region.
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This important step aims
to enhance food and nutrition security, increase farmers' income, and create
employment opportunities through improved productivity, better post-harvest
management, and value addition of potatoes and sweet potatoes.
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The center will be
established in Singna, Agra, and will serve as a hub for advanced research in
potato and sweet potato cultivation.
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Productivity,
post-harvest handling, and value addition in the potato sector will be
strengthened through this center.
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Job opportunities will be
created across production, packaging, marketing, processing, and other segments
of the potato value chain.
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The CSARC is being
developed to focus on high-yielding, climate-resilient, and nutrient-rich
varieties of potato and sweet potato.
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Research outcomes from
this center will be extended to benefit not only India but also neighboring
South Asian countries.
