Potato farmers in India can expect higher yields and profits with the release of a new variety, Kufri Lima.
Developed in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP for its acronym in Spanish) and the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Kufri Lima, proved to be both early, heat tolerant and virus resistant, preferred traits by local farmers.
It is the first CIP clone recommended for release in India. Earlier CIP germplasm was crossed with CPRI parents resulting in the release of eight varieties since 1975.
Mohinder Kadian, a CIP Regional Research Scientist based out of New Delhi:
“High temperatures pose a serious problem to potato farmers in India.”
“Farmers usually have to wait until temperatures drop to plant potatoes, but because of its high tolerance to heat Kufri Lima can be planted a full 20-30 days earlier than other local varieties.”
Earlier planting means earlier harvests, giving Kufri Lima farmers the ability to sell their potatoes at a premium price before other varieties hit the market.
Mohinder Kadian explains “Farmers can expect to be paid 40 to 50 percent higher prices than farmers harvesting potatoes during the normal season.”
“An added benefit to these farmers is that the early harvests give them a productive window to plant an additional winter crop, such as wheat or rice, that other varieties don’t allow.”
Crop losses range between 20 to 50% depending on the seed quality and virus infection. To access quality seed farmers from these areas need to import from seed producing states in Northern India (Punjab).
Source: www.potatopro.com
