{"id":87705,"date":"2026-10-30T18:06:43","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T12:36:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=87705"},"modified":"2026-10-30T18:07:43","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T12:37:43","slug":"kufri-jamunia-biofortified-potato","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-10-2026\/kufri-jamunia-biofortified-potato","title":{"rendered":"New Fortified Potato Variety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Scientists at the <strong>ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI)<\/strong> have developed a new potato variety called<strong> \u2018kufri jamunia\u2019<\/strong> that has higher levels of <strong>anthocyanins, vitamin C, and certain micronutrients than regular potatoes.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Central government has been promoting it to address <strong>hidden hunger.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hidden hunger<\/strong> remains a <strong>major public health challenge<\/strong> despite adequate calorie intake.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It occurs when <strong>people consume sufficient food<\/strong> but <strong>lack essential vitamins and minerals in their diet.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To address this challenge,<strong> scientists are increasingly developing biofortified crops<\/strong> with enhanced nutritional value.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Biofortification improves <\/strong>the nutrient content of crops through plant breeding, enabling food to naturally provide higher levels of essential nutrients.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>ICAR-CPRI developed nutrient-rich coloured potato varieties, <strong>including Kufri neelkanth, Kufri manik, and Kufri jamunia.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kufri jamunia<\/strong> was released in <strong>2024<\/strong>, the variety contains higher levels of<strong> ascorbic acid, anthocyanin, and carotenoids than Kufri manik and Kufri neelkanth.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Its purple flesh indicates high antioxidant content and better nutritional quality including enhanced levels of zinc and iron.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e8f1f9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"855\" height=\"189\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-219.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87706\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e8f1f9; aspect-ratio:4.524110073213835;width:800px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-219.png 855w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-219-300x66.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-219-768x170.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 855px) 100vw, 855px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The CIP-South Asia Regional Centre (CSARC)<\/strong> is established <strong>in Agra, Uttar Pradesh.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will not only serve farmers in <strong>potato-belt states like UP, Bihar and West Bengal but also cater to South Asian countries.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objective: <\/strong>To increase food and nutrition security, farmers income, and job creation by improving potato and sweetpotato productivity, post-harvest management and value-addition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Governance:<\/strong> By a coordination committee that comprises the Secretaries of Agriculture of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The International Potato Center (CIP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The CIP was founded in <strong>1971 <\/strong>as a research-for-development organization with a focus on potato, sweetpotato and Andean roots and tubers.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It delivers innovative science-based solutions<\/strong> to enhance access to affordable nutritious food, foster inclusive sustainable business and employment growth, and drive the climate resilience of root and tuber agri-food systems.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Headquartered:<\/strong> Lima, Peru.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CIP has a research presence in <strong>more than 20 countries <\/strong>in Africa, Asia and Latin America.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Biofortified Crops<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Biofortified crops<\/strong> are those that have been specially bred to have <strong>higher levels of essential nutrients<\/strong>, such as vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, than their conventional counterparts.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>This is done through traditional breeding techniques, genetic modification, or modern biotechnological methods.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f5f5f6\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"550\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-220.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87707\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f5f5f6; aspect-ratio:1.757276221856123;width:512px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-220.png 550w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-220-300x171.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Aim:<\/strong> To improve the nutritional value of crops, especially in regions where deficiencies in essential nutrients are widespread.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Golden Rice<\/strong> has been genetically modified to produce higher levels of provitamin A (beta-carotene), aiming to reduce vitamin A deficiency.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f0cbca\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"603\" height=\"519\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-11.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-87708\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f0cbca; aspect-ratio:1.1618895646414162;width:500px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-11.webp 603w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image-11-300x258.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 603px) 100vw, 603px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Significance of biofortification:<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is regarded as the<strong> most sustainable approach <\/strong>to alleviate malnutrition.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It provides <strong>nutrients in natural form<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biofortified food is affordable<\/strong> as it does not involve any additional price.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u2018Biofortified varieties\u2019 are as <strong>high yielding<\/strong> as \u2018traditional varieties\u2019, thus no loss is incurred to the farmers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It does<strong> not require elaborate infrastructure<\/strong> facilities as required in \u2018food fortification\u2019.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Food fortification<\/strong> involves improving the nutritional content of food crops during the processing stage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It does not involve <strong>additional cost<\/strong> on preparing the enriched food grains.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Challenges<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Agronomic and Climatic Constraints:<\/strong> Biofortified varieties may not perform uniformly across different agro-climatic zones.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of Market incentives:<\/strong> Farmers may not get better prices for nutrient-rich crops, reducing motivation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lack of demand:<\/strong> Without public awareness campaigns, market demand remains low.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak integration with national nutrition schemes: <\/strong>Mid-Day Meal, ICDS, and PDS rarely include biofortified grains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited R&amp;D investment:<\/strong> Compared to GM crops or hybrid seeds, biofortification receives less funding.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Way Ahead<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strengthen seed distribution and farmer outreach.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate biofortified crops into government food schemes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve consumer awareness and market linkages.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Invest in region-specific R&amp;D and nutritional impact studies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/sci-tech\/health\/can-the-new-fortified-potato-variety-the-centre-is-promoting-help-with-indias-hidden-hunger-problem\/article71626574.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><strong> Context <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Scientists at the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) have developed a new potato variety called \u2018kufri jamunia\u2019 that has higher levels of anthocyanins, vitamin C, and certain micronutrients than regular potatoes.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<p><strong> About <\/strong><\/p>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> Hidden hunger remains a major public health challenge despite adequate calorie intake. <\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\"> It occurs when people consume sufficient food but lack essential vitamins and minerals in their diet.\u00a0 <\/li>\n<p><a href=\" https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/30-10-2026\/kufri-jamunia-biofortified-potato \" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-87705","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87705","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=87705"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87705\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":87710,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/87705\/revisions\/87710"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87705"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=87705"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=87705"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}