Assam Agricultural University has signed a MoU with the International Potato Centre to strengthen potato research, farmer training, community engagement and value-chain development in Assam and the Northeast.

The partnership is important because potato cultivation in the region faces challenges ranging from poor-quality seed and low productivity to inadequate storage, mechanisation and market linkages.

About the International Potato Centre

• The International Potato Centre is a global agricultural research organisation headquartered in Lima, Peru.
• It was established in 1971 and focuses primarily on improving potatoes, sweet potatoes and Andean root and tuber crops cultivation for sustainable agriculture and nutrition.
• Its broader objective is to use agricultural research to improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods, particularly among vulnerable farming communities.
• It has two regional centres in Asia i.e. China (2017) and India’s Singna, Agra, UP (2025)

Key Features of the Partnership

The agreement has been signed under the International Potato Centre–National Agricultural Research Systems partnership framework.

The collaboration will focus on:

• Quality seed: Improving access to suitable and disease-free planting material.
• Research and training: Creating opportunities for students, scientists and researchers from the Northeast to participate in advanced potato research.
• Pest and disease management: Developing better scientific approaches to reduce crop losses.
• Mechanisation: Promoting appropriate technologies to improve productivity and reduce dependence on labour-intensive practices.
• Post-harvest management: Strengthening cold storage, processing and value addition facilities.
• Market linkages: Developing an integrated potato value chain connecting farmers with processors, traders and consumers.

Prelims Pointers

• International Potato Centre: Headquarters – Lima, Peru.
• Established in 1971.
• Major focus: potato, sweet potato and Andean root and tuber crops.
• Assam Agricultural University is the key academic partner in the Northeast.
• Major challenges addressed: seed quality, productivity, mechanisation, pests and diseases, cold storage and market access.
• The collaboration follows the International Potato Centre–National Agricultural Research Systems partnership framework.

Exam Hook | Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding the International Potato Centre:

1. It is headquartered in Lima, Peru.
2. It was established in 1971.
3. Its research is limited exclusively to potato cultivation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1 and 2 only.

One-line wrap: For Assam, strengthening the potato value chain can convert a traditional crop into a more productive, resilient and market-oriented source of rural income.