Question : POTATO RESEARCH

(a) the production and productivity of potato in the country, during each of the last two years and the current year, State-wise;

(b) the steps taken for increasing production and productivity including research and development works in potato;

(c) whether the Government proposes to set up regional research centres at various places for difference climatic/agronomic zones including Agra;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the funds allocated/utilized for research on potato by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and other agriculture universities during each of the last three years and the current year?

THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (SHRI SHARAD PAWAR)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 189 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23-11-2010 REGARDING “POTATO RESEARCH”

(a): The production and productivity of potato in the country during 2007-08, 2008-09 and estimates for 2009-10 state-wise is given in Annexure –I.

(b): The Government has taken steps through research to increase the production of potato. The Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) and its regional stations and the All India Co- ordinated Research Project on Potato, with 25 centres in different agro-climatic regions of the country covering 19 states spearhead this research effort. The institute has developed 48 high yielding varieties suitable for cultivation under diverse agro-climatic conditions of the country. The institute is also providing approximately 2,500 tons of breeder seed each year, apart from virus diagnostic services. For the development of potato, Government is implementing the programme of Technology Mission for North-Eastern and Himalayan States and also through National Horticulture Mission, which covers demonstration, seed production, post harvest management and marketing.

(c) & (d): No, Madam. There is no proposal to set up any new regional research centres of CPRI, as location and situation specific research needs are addressed through All India Co- ordinated Research Project on Potato through its 25 centres in different agro-climatic regions of the country. In Uttar Pradesh, CPRI has a campus at Modipuram, AICRP has stations at Faizabad and Kanpur.

(e): Funds allocated/utilized for research on potato by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research during each of the last three years and the current year are given in Annexure-II.