Haryana‑grown seed potatoes delivered exceptional yield results during a field day in Sambhal district, where more than 150 farmers gathered to evaluate varietal performance under local conditions. Conducted under the CIP–PTC Collaborative Project, the demonstration highlighted K. Uday as the top performer, producing 15 bags of potatoes from a single bag of seed, followed by K. Mohan with 12 bags. All nine varieties in the trial were planted in November and harvested after 90 days.
The event organized on 7th February, brought together 150 + farmers from Sambhal and neighbouring districts along with eight Haryana seed growers, who displayed their seed generations and varieties to strengthen market linkages between the two potato‑producing regions. Farmers showed strong interest in early‑maturing, heat‑tolerant varieties such as K. Uday and K. Thar‑2, both of which showed promising commercial potential in the Sambhal agro‑climate.
Farmer Shares Firsthand Results
Host farmer Shakeeb, who cultivated Haryana seed alongside other varieties on his land, told participants that investing in high‑quality seed pays for itself through improved yields.
“Agar hum achhi fasal chahte hain to achha beej lagayein,” he said, noting that Haryana growers follow a meticulous, technically guided seed‑production system.
Shakeeb shared his experience working with varieties such as K. Surya, LR, Santana, and K. Mohan, and described K. Uday as one of the most promising new options for the region. The variety produced uniform, shiny tubers and performed well even under early‑season heat—an advantage for farmers seeking early market returns.
Officials Stress Balanced Inputs and Government Support
District Horticulture Officer Dr. Saurabh Bansal urged farmers to adopt recommended fertiliser practices, warning that excessive use does not guarantee higher yields and can degrade soil health. He also highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s horticulture schemes, which include subsidies of more than 50 percent for sprinkler irrigation systems to encourage efficient water use.
Project Focus: Strengthening Seed Systems
The field day was part of the CIP–PTC Collaborative Project, designed to enhance farmer incomes in Haryana by improving the seed potato value chain. The initiative supports seed growers with:
- Subsidised PTCMT minitubers for seed multiplication
- The ARC low‑cost multiplication technique for rapid G0 seed production
- Aeroponic Unit, established under Phase I
By showcasing Haryana seed in high‑production regions such as Sambhal, the project aims to build confidence among farmers and increase access to reliable seed of high‑performing varieties.
Varieties Demonstrated
- Uday, K. Thar‑2, K. Frysona, K. FryOm, K. Sangam, K. Mohan, K. Chipsona‑1, K. Khyati, and LR.
Promising Outlook for Haryana Seed
With strong yields, farmer interest, and favourable market traits, the field day reaffirmed Haryana’s potential as a reliable source of high‑quality seed potatoes. The results also strengthened ties between growers and farmers across states, supporting wider adoption of improved seed in one of India’s most important potato‑growing regions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Leading Potato Varieties in India
CIP stands for Centro Internacional de la Papa (International Potato Center), a global research facility headquartered in Lima, Peru, founded in 1971.
🌍 Global Mission: Reduce poverty and achieve food security in developing countries through scientific research on potato, sweet potato, and other root crops
📍 Headquarters: Lima, Peru
🎯 Focus Areas: Mountain agriculture, sustainable resource management, and climate resilience
🤝 CIP’s Collaboration with India:
Key Partnership Activities:
✓ Germplasm Exchange: Provides diverse potato genetic material to Indian researchers
✓ Breeding Programs: Develops varieties resilient to local pests, diseases, and climate
✓ Joint Research Projects: Partners with CPRI and Indian agricultural institutes
✓ Climate Adaptation: Research on heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties
✓ Nutrition Programs: Promotes potatoes for food security and nutrition
🌟 CIP’s Contribution to Indian Varieties:
- ⭐ K. Uday parent line: CIP387521.3 × Aphrodite
- ⭐ K. Thar-2 source: CIP397006.18 (CP4175) – drought-tolerant clone
- ⭐ Numerous other varieties trace their genetics to CIP germplasm
🔬 Innovation Focus: CIP reduces reliance on chemical pesticides through disease-resistant breeding and promotes sustainable potato production technologies!
Global Impact: CIP’s research benefits millions of farmers worldwide, including India, by providing improved varieties, sustainable practices, and solutions to climate challenges affecting potato cultivation.
🌱 The collaboration between CIP (international research) and CPRI (national adaptation) has been instrumental in developing India’s modern potato varieties!
CPRI stands for Central Potato Research Institute, a premier governmental research organization under ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) dedicated exclusively to potato research in India.
🏛️ Headquarters: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
📅 Establishment: CPRI has been working for decades to revolutionize potato cultivation in India
🎯 Mission: Scientific research and development of potato varieties, production technologies, and disease management
🌐 CPRI’s Regional Research Network:
Kufri-Fagu (HP) – Himalayan region research
Modipuram (UP) – Largest research station for plains
Jalandhar (Punjab) – Northwestern plains
Gwalior (MP) – Central India
Patna (Bihar) – Eastern plains
Shillong (Meghalaya) – North-Eastern hills
Ootacamund (Tamil Nadu) – Southern hills
🏅 Major Achievements:
✓ Developed 60+ potato varieties for varied agro-ecologies
✓ CPRI varieties occupy >94% of total potato area in India
✓ State-of-art laboratories for biotechnology, genomics, and breeding
✓ Provider of disease-free basic seed material
✓ Training center for modern potato production technologies
Key Services: Variety development, disease management solutions, post-harvest technology, training programs, and consultancy services for farmers and industries.
💡 Almost every potato variety starting with “Kufri” (including Uday, Thar-2, Frysona, FryOm, Sangam, Mohan, Chipsona-1, and Khyati) is developed by CPRI!
Kufri Uday is an early-maturing, high-yielding red potato variety developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla. It’s a clonal selection from the cross CIP387521.3 × Aphrodite and has become a game-changer for farmers in North India.
🌟 Key Features:
✓ Attractive red-colored, ovoid tubers with shallow eyes
✓ Yellow flesh with mealy texture – perfect for table use
✓ Early maturity in just 70 days
✓ High yield potential: 36-38 tonnes per hectare
✓ Field resistance to late blight
✓ 18-19% tuber dry matter content
💰 Farmer Benefit: Red potatoes like Kufri Uday command a 50% premium pricing in the market compared to white varieties!
Recommended Regions: Northern, central, and eastern plains of India including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and Haryana.
Kufri Thar-2 is India’s premier drought-tolerant table potato variety developed specifically for water-scarce regions. It’s an exotic clone CIP397006.18 (CP4175) developed at the International Potato Center, Lima, Peru, and released for cultivation in India.
🌾 Drought Tolerance Advantages:
✓ High drought tolerance index: 1.08
✓ Water requirement: Only 74 liters/kg under water stress
✓ Yields up to 30 t/ha even with less than 20% water availability
✓ Yields 35 t/ha under normal irrigation
✓ 20-21% tuber dry matter – excellent keeping quality
Tuber Characteristics: Produces attractive light yellow, ovoid tubers with shallow eyes and light yellow flesh. The plants are medium, vigorous with resistance to late blight.
🎯 Best For: Drought-prone areas in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Chhattisgarh where water conservation is critical.
Kufri Frysona is a high-yielding potato variety specifically designed for French fries production and export markets. It has revolutionized India’s processing potato sector.
🥔 French Fries Excellence:
✓ Export-grade tuber potential: 35.3 t/ha in western Uttar Pradesh
✓ Produces over 55mm diameter tubers ideal for international export
✓ Superior performance compared to traditional varieties
✓ High dry matter content for crispy, golden fries
✓ Excellent processing quality with low reducing sugars
💡 Industry Advantage: K. Frysona meets international standards for McDonald’s, KFC, and other major fast-food chains requiring premium quality French fries!
Market Potential: With India’s growing fast-food industry and export opportunities, K. Frysona offers farmers lucrative contract farming opportunities with processing companies.
🚀 Currently, only 6-8% of potatoes are processed in India compared to >50% in Europe and the US – huge growth potential for K. Frysona growers!
Kufri FryOm is an indigenous processing potato variety developed by ICAR-CPRI to reduce India’s dependency on exotic varieties and eliminate royalty payments to foreign companies.
🏆 Developed by ICAR-CPRI for Atmanirbhar Bharat:
✓ Early maturing compared to K. Frysona
✓ Yield: 30-35 t/ha with >80% processing-grade tubers
✓ Licensed to 15+ industries across India
✓ Reduces royalty payments to foreign varieties
✓ Suitable for North West and central plains
🌟 Processing Advantages:
✓ High specific gravity for better frying quality
✓ Low reducing sugars – prevents browning
✓ Suitable for both French fries and chips
✓ Good storability maintains processing quality
💰 Economic Impact: By adopting K. FryOm, Indian processing industries save millions in royalty payments while farmers get assured markets at competitive prices!
Industry Adoption: Major processing companies like McCain, Safal, and regional processors have adopted K. FryOm, creating stable demand and contract farming opportunities for growers.
Kufri Sangam is a high-performing export-oriented potato variety that has gained recognition in India’s agricultural export policy. It’s particularly suitable for districts identified for potato export promotion.
📊 Export Performance:
✓ Western UP: 28.0 t/ha export-grade production (>55mm tubers)
✓ Gujarat: 29.6 t/ha export-grade production
✓ Ranked among top 5 varieties for export potential
🗺️ Export Zones Identified by Government of India:
📍 Agra district, Uttar Pradesh
📍 Farrukhabad district, Uttar Pradesh
📍 Sabarkantha district, Gujarat
📍 Banaskantha district, Gujarat
Why K. Sangam for Export? This variety produces large-sized tubers (>55mm) that meet international export standards, excellent keeping quality for long-distance transportation, and consistent performance across different agro-climatic conditions.
🚀 With Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) developed by ICAR-CPRI, K. Sangam holds promising future for boosting India’s potato export potential.
Kufri Mohan is a medium-maturing, high-yielding table potato released in 2016, specially bred for the Indo-Gangetic plains. It’s a clonal selection from MS/92-1090 × CP1704, combining indigenous late blight resistance with exotic disease tolerance.
🌟 Outstanding Features:
✓ High yield: 35-40 tonnes per hectare
✓ Over 90% marketable tubers
✓ Moderate resistance to late blight
✓ White-cream, ovoid tubers with shallow eyes
✓ White flesh – ideal for table market
✓ Excellent keeping quality with low post-harvest losses
✓ 15-18% tuber dry matter
🌾 Agronomic Advantages:
- Tall plants with vigorous, semi-compact canopy
- Field resistance to late blight reduces pesticide use
- Longer shelf life compared to older varieties
- Wide adaptability across various agro-climatic zones
💰 Nutritional Value: 70-75% carbohydrates, 7-8% protein, rich in B vitamins, iron, and zinc – making it highly nutritious!
Recommended For: Northern and eastern Indo-Gangetic plains including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, and West Bengal.
Kufri Chipsona-1 is a specialized potato variety developed exclusively for chips manufacturing industry. It has become the gold standard for potato chips production in India.
🥘 Chips Manufacturing Excellence:
✓ High dry matter content for crispy, crunchy chips
✓ Low reducing sugars prevent dark coloration during frying
✓ Excellent frying quality with minimal oil absorption
✓ Superior flavor and texture retention
✓ High yield potential – economically valuable
🏭 Industry Preference:
- ✅ Preferred by major brands like Lay’s, Bingo, and Uncle Chips
- ✅ Consistent quality across batches
- ✅ Excellent cooking quality – retains shape and texture
- ✅ Adaptable to various growing conditions
- ✅ Good storability maintains processing parameters
🎯 Contract Farming Opportunities:
✓ Multiple processing companies offer buyback agreements
✓ Premium pricing for quality-grade tubers
✓ Technical support from industry partners
✓ Assured market reduces price risk
💡 Market Insight: India’s chips market is growing at 15% annually, creating strong demand for K. Chipsona-1 growers!
Kufri Khyati is an early-maturing, high-yielding variety specially developed for North Gujarat and similar agro-climatic zones. The term “early bulker” means it produces marketable-sized tubers quickly, making it ideal for high cropping intensity systems.
⚡ Quick Harvest Benefits:
✓ Maturity: Early (75 days)
✓ Yield at 75 DAP: 44.22 t/ha total, 40.79 t/ha marketable
✓ Outperforms Kufri Pukhraj by 9.10% at early harvest
✓ Average yield potential: 250-300 q/ha
🛡️ Disease Resistance:
- ✅ Field resistant to early blight
- ✅ Field resistant to late blight
- ✅ Good storability
🍽️ Culinary Quality:
Light yellow to cream skin with white flesh, easy to cook with waxy texture, mild flavor, and free from after-cooking discoloration – perfect for household consumption.
🎯 Ideal For: Farmers practicing multiple cropping systems who need quick turnaround between crops. Perfect for North Indian plains where land utilization efficiency is crucial.
Choosing the right potato variety depends on your region, water availability, market demand, and farming objectives. Here’s a quick selection guide:
🎯 Selection Criteria:
For Table Purpose (Fresh Market):
✓ K. Uday – Premium red potatoes, early maturity (70 days), high prices
✓ K. Mohan – White potatoes, medium maturity, excellent storage
✓ K. Khyati – Early bulker, high cropping intensity systems
For Processing Industry:
✓ K. Chipsona-1 – Best for potato chips manufacturing
✓ K. Frysona – Excellent for French fries, export quality
✓ K. FryOm – Early maturity, reduces royalty costs
For Export Market:
✓ K. Frysona – 35.3 t/ha export-grade tubers (western UP)
✓ K. Sangam – 28-29.6 t/ha export-grade, multi-region adaptability
💧 Special Conditions:
- ✅ Water Scarcity/Drought Areas: K. Thar-2 (only 74 liters/kg water requirement)
- ✅ Late Blight Prone Areas: K. Mohan, K. Uday, K. Khyati (all have field resistance)
- ✅ Quick Turnaround Needed: K. Uday (70 days), K. Khyati (75 days)
- ✅ Maximum Yield: K. Khyati (250-300 q/ha), K. Mohan (35-40 t/ha)
🗺️ Regional Recommendations:
North Indian Plains (UP, Punjab, Haryana): K. Uday, K. Mohan, K. FryOm
Drought-Prone (Rajasthan, Parts of UP): K. Thar-2
Eastern Plains (Bihar, West Bengal): K. Mohan, K. Uday
Gujarat (North): K. Khyati, K. Sangam
Export Zones (Agra, Farrukhabad): K. Frysona, K. Sangam
💡 Pro Tip: Consult your local CPRI regional station or agriculture university for soil-specific and climate-specific recommendations. Consider market demand in your area before finalizing variety selection!
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