*Major Breakthrough for Himachal Pradesh Farmers
Shimla।The Government of India has officially notified two improved potato varieties developed by ICAR-CPRI, Shimla—Kufri Abhedya and Kufri Ruby—for cultivation as a significant milestone for Indian agriculture and potato research,. The notification, published in the Gazette of India on July 8, 2026, enables the production, certification, and sale of quality seed of these varieties in their recommended regions, paving the way for enhanced productivity, disease management, and better market opportunities for potato growers across the country.
Dr. Brajesh Singh, Director, CPRI, Shimla said the release of these two varieties reflects India’s continued commitment to developing climate-resilient, disease-resistant, and market-driven potato cultivars capable of addressing emerging challenges in potato sector. He noted that the notification would strengthen the national quality seed system, accelerate the dissemination of improved technologies and contribute to higher farm productivity and incomes.
Dr. Brajesh Singh mentioned that the notification carries special significance for Himachal Pradesh, where potato is one of the state’s most important cash crops and a major source of livelihood for thousands of hill farmers. Out of the two varieties, Kufri Abhedya has been specifically recommended for cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, the hill regions of the northeastern states, the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu, and the plateau regions of Karnataka and Maharashtra. The recommendation is expected to strengthen potato cultivation in these regions by providing farmers with a high-yielding and disease-resistant variety.
Providing details of the newly notified varieties, Dr. Salej Sood, Senior Scientist, said that Kufri Abhedya is a medium-maturing table potato that matures in 110–120 days and yields 25–30 tonnes per hectare under kharif conditions. He said the variety represents a major scientific breakthrough as it combines high productivity with resistance to late blight and potato cyst nematodes (PCN)—two of the most destructive biotic stresses limiting potato production in the Indian hills. It is the first high-yielding potato variety in the country possessing resistance to both PCN species, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative that can substantially reduce crop losses and dependence on chemical plant protection measures. The attractive yellow-skinned tubers with pink splashes, cream-coloured flesh and good keeping quality further enhance its suitability for table consumption.
Dr. Sood further explained that Kufri Ruby has been developed to cater to the rapidly expanding baby potato market in the Indian plains. The medium-maturing specialty variety yields 23–25 tonnes per hectare and produces nearly 60 per cent of its tubers as baby potatoes within 90 days, making it highly suitable for premium fresh markets, food processors and the hospitality sector. The variety has been recommended for cultivation across major potato-growing states, including Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
For Himachal Pradesh, the notification of Kufri Abhedya is expected to be particularly transformative. With its resistance to devastating diseases and pests, high yield potential and superior tuber quality, the variety is poised to improve the profitability and sustainability of potato cultivation in the hill state, reinforcing Himachal Pradesh’s position as one of India’s leading producers of quality seed and table potatoes.
Author: Public Updates 24
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