Long overlooked in global conversations about cash crops, potatoes are slowly beginning to claim their rightful place on the world stage and India is not far behind. Instead, the land of vibrant spices and varied cuisines, is now underway to becoming a powerhouse when it comes to potato cultivation. Truly, the humble potato, originally from the Andes regions in South America, has found a soft corner in Indian hearts to become a staple food.
With advancements in technology, sustainable practices, and farmer-led innovation, Indian potatoes — particularly the “processing” varieties — are now rising to compete on the
global stage.
Driving this transformation are companies like HyFarm, the agribusiness unit of HyFun Foods. By blending tradition with modern technologies HyFarm is ensuring that they maintain high-standards of quality while focusing on sustainable ways of production. All this while strengthening India’s position in global markets.
In a recent post on LinkedIn, the story of Shailesh Bhai Patel from Dungarikampa village was shared — a potato farmer with over 15 years’ experience, who is embracing change withHyFarm’s support.
Shailesh Bhai’s story is testament to the manner in which HyFarm handholds its farmer partners and is also featured in the latest episode of “SpudCast”, HyFarm’s much watched -series.
HyFarm has always maintained robust business linkages through its farmer- connect initiatives and with its innovative contract farming model. This aids in seamless production
and procurement of processing- grade potatoes (French Fries & Crisps) and Table Potatoes.
HyFarm: Building the Bridge Between Tradition and Transformation
Founded with a vision to modernize farming practices while respecting traditional knowledge, HyFarm offers potato farmers a suite of digital solutions and field-level initiatives that significantly empower them. Amongst its flagship programs is, “HyFarm Paathshala” — a live model farm where farmers can see, test, and trust best practices in action before adopting them on their own fields.
HyFarm Paathshala is an industry first and is today known as a “Knowledge Centre” focused on driving re-generative agricultural practices, reducing cost of cultivation and improving yields.
Speaking about his experience, Shailesh Bhai shared, “HyFarm Paathshala taught me notjust how to farm, but how to farm better. Today, I save water, use fertilizers more efficiently,and feel increasingly confident towards making data based decisions to reduce cost of cultivation.“
Key interventions at HyFarm Paathshala include:
- Optimized seed-handling for potato crops
- Precision bed-sizing to improve crop quality
- Real-time climate and soil moisture monitoring through latest IoT tools
- Data-driven decision-making supported by HyFarm’s own Farmoji app
By demonstrating tangible benefits — such as reduced costs of cultivation, improved yields,and smarter resource management — HyFarm is not just making technology more relatable and accessible to India’s farmers — it is empowering Indian agriculture by walking hand-in-hand with farmers, enabling them to cultivate smarter, grow sustainably, and lead the future of farming.
Potato Power: India’s Growing Global Footprint
Industry leaders and experts believe initiatives like HyFarm Paathshala are crucial not just for an individual farmer’s success, but for strengthening India’s agricultural footprint globally. India, once seen mainly as a producer of table potatoes, is now gaining recognition for high-quality processing varieties that meet international standards — a space long dominated by Western markets.
While challenges remain in scaling technology adoption across India’s diverse farming landscapes, success stories like Shailesh Bhai’s are encouraging signs. They have shown that with the right support, guidance — and respect for traditional expertise — India can evolve into a major global player in agricultural innovation and sustainability.
As India’s potato farmers continue to adopt smarter, more sustainable practices,partnerships with leaders and innovators like HyFarm are helping turn local fields into global
success stories.
