CIP South Asia Regional Centre at Agra: Cabinet Approval
Why in the news
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared a proposal from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare to set up the International Potato Centre (CIP) South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC) at Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
Key facts
- Location: Singna, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
- CIP is a global agricultural research organisation with headquarters in Lima, Peru.
- It belongs to the CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) system.
Objectives
- Strengthen food and nutrition security.
- Raise farmers’ incomes.
- Create jobs across the potato and sweetpotato value chain.
Expected impact
- Development of high-yielding, climate-resilient potato and sweetpotato varieties.
- Attention to post-harvest management, processing, value addition and export potential.
- Technology and innovation to benefit India and other South Asian countries.
Exam angle
- Centre: CSARC at Singna, Agra.
- CIP headquarters: Lima, Peru; parent system: CGIAR.
- Crops in focus: potato and sweetpotato.