India is projected to surpass China to become the world’s largest potato producer by 2050, according to experts from the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru.
Key Highlights
- Current Status: India is the second-largest potato producer globally.
- Future Projection: Annual production may increase from 60 million tonnes to 100 million tonnes by 2050.
- Event: Insights shared during a science symposium on Root and Tuber Crops Research and Development in India and South Asia.
Developmental Benefits
- Potato, sweet potato, and other root crops hold vast potential for:
- Rural employment generation
- Women’s empowerment
- Youth engagement in agriculture
- Improved nutrition and food security
- Value Chain Development: Opportunities for private sector partnerships, cooperatives, and farmer producer organizations (FPOs).
- Climate Resilience: Tuber crops are:
- Resilient to climate change
- Encourage efficient use of water and natural resources
India’s Strategic Needs: To harness the full potential, India must address:
- Food Security
- Income Security
- Nutritional Security
- Climate change adaptation
About International Potato Center (CIP)
- Founded: 1971
- HQ: Lima, Peru
- Global Presence: Operates in 20+ countries (Africa, Asia, Latin America)
- Affiliation: Part of CGIAR – a global research partnership for food and agriculture
- Focus Areas:
- Potato, sweet potato, and Andean root/tuber crops
- Promotes climate-resilient, nutrition-rich, and inclusive farming systems
- Gene Bank: Maintains the world’s largest potato gene bank to conserve biodiversity
Potato Cultivation in India
General Info:
- Scientific Name: Solanum tuberosum
- Status: Known as the “King of Vegetables”
- Rank: India’s 4th most important food crop (after rice, wheat, and maize)
- Introduced by: Portuguese traders in the 17th century
Geographical Spread:
- Grown in 23 states
- 85% of production from Indo-Gangetic plains
Top Producing States:
| State | % of National Output |
| Uttar Pradesh | ~30% |
| West Bengal | ~23.5% |
| Bihar | ~17% |
| Others | Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh |
Climatic & Soil Requirements:
Ideal Temperature:
- Growth: ~24°C
- Tuber formation: ~20°C
- Day: 13–18°C; Night: 18–29°C
Soil:
- Well-drained loamy or sandy loam
- pH: 5.2 to 6.4
- Needs 6+ hours of sunlight
Sensitive to: Temperatures above 30°C
Seasons and Cultivation Practices:
Seasons: Primarily Rabi crop
- Kharif cultivation in states like Karnataka, Uttarakhand
Region-wise Planting Times:
- HP & Uttarakhand: Jan–Feb (spring), May (summer)
- Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, Bengal: Main crop in October
- MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka: Both kharif and rabi
Inputs:
- Seeds: Sprouted, disease-free (30–50g)
- Popular Varieties: Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Bahar, Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Chandramukhi
- Fertilization: Rich in phosphorus & potassium
- Irrigation: Preferably drip irrigation
- Harvesting Time: 90–120 days
Global Comparison:
- Current Rank: India – 2nd, after China
- Target: Become No. 1 producer by 2050
- Production Outlook: From ~60 million tonnes to 100 million tonnes
Growth Drivers:
- Expansion of cultivation area
- High domestic demand
- Government support programs
- Climate-friendly nature of tuber crops
Government Scheme: Operation Greens
- Launched: 2018 (by Ministry of Food Processing Industries)
- Inspired by: Operation Flood
- Allocated Budget: ₹500 crore
Objectives:
- Stabilize prices and supply of Tomato, Onion, and Potato (TOP)
- Reduce post-harvest losses
- Improve:
- Storage
- Processing
- Logistics Infrastructure
- Benefit both farmers and consumers