New Delhi, June 25 (UNI) The Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given nod to a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to set up an international potato centre at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.



“The major objective of this investment is to increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweetpotato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters after the Cabinet meeting here.



According to the government officials, the potato sector in the country has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities in production sector, processing sector, packaging, transportation, marketing, value chain, etc.



Hence, in order to untap and explore the huge potential in this sector, International Potato Centre (CIP)‘s south Asia regional Centre is being established at Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, as per the official.



High yielding, nutrient and climate resilient varieties of potato and sweetpotato developed by CSARC will significantly accelerate the sustainable development of the potato and sweetpotato sectors not only in India but in the South Asia region also through world-class science and innovation, it added.



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