1) What happened and why it matters

The Union Agriculture Ministry has approved four new potato varieties developed by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Potato Research Institute (Shimla). The names are Kufri Ratan, Kufri Tejas, Kufri Chipbharat-1, and Kufri Chipbharat-2.
These varieties are designed to give better yields, strong performance in warmer conditions, good storage life, and reliable quality for chips. This helps both household buyers who want good table potatoes and the food processing industry that needs consistent chip-grade tubers.

2) Meet the four varieties 

• Kufri Ratan
  • Maturity: Medium, about 90 days, which suits most potato calendars and allows timely rotation with other crops.
  • Use: Mainly for table consumption, giving good taste and texture in daily cooking.
  • Yield: About 37–39 tonnes per hectare, which can lift farm income when grown with proper care.
  • Tuber features: Red skin, ovoid shape, yellow flesh, and good storability, which reduces loss after harvest.
• Kufri Tejas
  • Maturity: Medium, about 90 days, so it can fit into existing schedules without major changes.
  • Strength: Heat tolerant and has excellent shelf life, so farmers in warmer belts can expect more stable outcomes.
  • Yield: About 37–40 tonnes per hectare, which is competitive for a medium-duration crop.
  • Tuber features: White-cream coloured tubers that are versatile for many Indian cooking styles.
• Kufri Chipbharat-1
  • Maturity: Medium, about 100 days, giving the plant enough time to accumulate solids for chip quality.
  • Use: Developed for chip processing, so it targets the growing demand from snack makers.
  • Yield: About 35–38 tonnes per hectare, which is balanced with quality traits.
  • Quality: High dry matter (around 21%) and low reducing sugars, which usually gives a light chip colour and less wastage during frying.
• Kufri Chipbharat-2
  • Maturity: Early, about 90 days, helping farmers harvest sooner and manage labour and water better.
  • Adaptation: Widely adaptable across zones, making it useful for different regions and seasons.
  • Yield: About 35–37 tonnes per hectare, which is strong for an early variety.
  • Quality: High dry matter (around 21%), giving reliable chip quality across batches.

3) What this means on the ground 

• For farmers: The mix of early and medium maturity helps plan staggered harvests. Heat tolerance and good storage life reduce post-harvest losses. The chip-grade options open doors for contract farming and assured sales to processors.
• For traders and processors: More uniform chip colour and lower wastage mean better margins. Stable supply helps plan year-round operations.
• For consumers: More stable availability of table potatoes and snacks, with better quality and fewer price spikes.

4) How adoption can be smooth 

• Choose by purpose: Grow Kufri Ratan or Kufri Tejas for home-use markets; choose Kufri Chipbharat-1/2 for chip contracts.
• Follow field advice: Use the recommended spacing, balanced nutrition, and timely irrigation for the chosen maturity group.
• Harvest and cure well: For chip varieties, correct harvest timing and gentle curing help keep sugars low and preserve colour.
• Store smartly: Use cool, clean, ventilated stores and avoid injuries to tubers to extend shelf life.

Prelims Practice (MCQ) 

Q1. With reference to the newly approved potato varieties in India, consider the following statements:

1. Kufri Tejas is noted for heat tolerance and excellent shelf life.
2. Kufri Chipbharat-1 and Kufri Chipbharat-2 are mainly designed for chip processing, with high dry matter and low reducing sugars.
3. Kufri Ratan is an early-maturing variety that is mainly recommended for chips.
   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
   a) 1 and 2 only
   b) 2 and 3 only
   c) 1 and 3 only
   d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a) 1 and 2 only
Why: (1) True; (2) True; (3) False — Kufri Ratan is medium-maturing and aimed at table use, not primarily for chips.