Kufri Jamunia: India's Biofortified Purple Potato

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Key takeaways

ICAR-CPRI developed Kufri Jamunia, a purple biofortified potato variety officially released in 2024 to combat hidden hunger.
Per 100 grams of fresh flesh, the variety contains 42.05 mg of anthocyanins, 42.75 mg of Vitamin C, 3.22 mg of iron, and 2.28 mg of zinc.
The crop produces 32-35 tonnes per hectare under standard farming practices, with nearly 90% of tubers classified as marketable.
Harvested tubers feature a natural dormancy period of 6-8 weeks, which significantly curbs premature sprouting and reduces storage decay.

The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) highlighted Kufri Jamunia, an indigenously developed purple potato variety.
Scientists presented this biofortified crop as an effective solution to fight hidden hunger and improve nutritional security across Indian households.

The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI), located in Shimla, officially released Kufri Jamunia in 2024.
Biofortification relies on standard plant breeding methods to enrich the inherent nutritional value of staple food crops.
This targeted breeding strategy directly tackles hidden hunger, which occurs when people consume adequate calories but lack essential micronutrients.
The development of Kufri Jamunia builds upon earlier breeding milestones achieved by ICAR-CPRI with coloured specialty tubers.

This specialty variety features dark purple skin combined with vivid purple flesh throughout its interior.
The distinctive coloration comes from anthocyanins, which are natural plant pigments functioning as powerful health-promoting antioxidants.
Each 100 grams of fresh tuber flesh delivers 42.05 mg of anthocyanins alongside 42.75 mg of Vitamin C.
The tuber also supplies vital trace minerals, providing 3.22 mg of iron and 2.28 mg of zinc per 100 grams.
These concentration levels of Vitamin C, carotenoids, and anthocyanins substantially surpass conventional potatoes and previous coloured selections.

The plant exhibits a medium-maturing lifecycle with semi-compact vegetative growth.
Individual plants reliably generate 10-12 oblong tubers featuring shallow eyes and a floury, mealy internal texture.
Standard field management yields between 32-35 tonnes per hectare, while controlled station trials produced up to 49 tonnes per hectare over 90 days.
Field evaluations confirmed high commercial viability, noting that nearly 90% of total harvested volume meets standard marketable quality.
Harvested tubers show natural dormancy lasting 6-8 weeks, which prevents premature sprouting and keeps post-harvest storage losses low.

The crop is well adapted to the subtropical climate of the vast North Indian plains.
The variety produces the best yields in well-drained alluvial and sandy-loam soils during cool winter months.
Multi-location performance trials demonstrated consistent agricultural stability across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Field trials in central and eastern India, including Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, also showed dependable crop performance.

Its firm flesh and mealy texture work well in traditional home-cooked recipes, such as curries, parathas, and puris.
Food processors can mill the dried tubers into nutrient-dense flour, suji, and daliya for healthy bakery items and breakfast cereals.
Widespread adoption of this biofortified staple supports dietary diversity and provides critical micronutrients to vulnerable populations.
Farmers benefit financially from high field productivity and access to premium retail markets interested in vibrant, antioxidant-rich foods.

ICAR-CPRI released Kufri Neelkanth in 2018 as India's first specialty potato variety sporting purple skin.
Agricultural authorities recommended Kufri Neelkanth for cultivation across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh due to its rich antioxidant content.
The institute subsequently introduced Kufri Manik in 2021, a specialty variety bearing deep red, round tubers with yellow flesh containing anthocyanins, iron, and zinc.