Shimla’s Kufri-Fagu Farm Yields First Kufri Sahyadri Seeds, Bringing Hope to Farmers

The hills of Shimla have a new reason to celebrate. For the first time, the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) has successfully produced 400 quintals of Kufri Sahyadri potato seed at its Kufri-Fagu farm — a breakthrough that promises to strengthen India’s fight against crop diseases and boost farmer incomes.

Kufri Sahyadri isn’t just any potato variety. It’s specially bred to resist cyst nematode and late blight, two stubborn enemies of potato crops in hilly regions. Until now, this resilient variety was grown only at CPRI’s Ooty farm in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri district. The Shimla harvest marks a major step in expanding its reach across the country.

Speaking about the achievement, CPRI Director Dr. Brajesh Singh shared that the seeds will be supplied to seven states, including Himachal Pradesh. “The cyst nematode-resistant Kufri Sahyadri variety produced at our Ooty farm has now been produced for the first time at the Kufri-Fagu farm. It will be supplied to interested states,” he said.

Alongside Kufri Sahyadri, the institute has also produced seeds of other popular varieties — Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Girdhari, Kufri Himalani, and Kufri Karan. The 400 quintals of seed will soon reach farmers in Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and the northeastern states of Manipur, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh, with Himachal Pradesh also receiving its share.

The seeds will be supplied directly to state governments, who will multiply them further and distribute them through agriculture departments. With disease-resistant varieties now more accessible, farmers in high-risk regions can look forward to reduced crop losses, better yields, and improved livelihoods.

This milestone isn’t just about potatoes — it’s about resilience, innovation, and ensuring that farmers across India have the tools they need to thrive.