𝐊𝐔𝐅𝐑𝐈 𝐉𝐀𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐀: 𝐀 𝐁𝐈𝐎𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐃 𝐏𝐎𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐎 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬? The ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) has developed a biofortified potato variety named Kufri Jamunia, which may help address hidden hunger by improving micronutrient intake.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐊𝐮𝐟𝐫𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐚:

• It is a biofortified potato variety with purple skin and purple flesh.
• It contains higher levels of anthocyanins, vitamin C, zinc, iron and carotenoids than regular potatoes.
• It was developed in 2015, approved in mid-2024 and officially notified in November 2024.
• The government is promoting it as a potential nutritional solution to combat micronutrient deficiencies.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭:

Kufri Jamunia was developed by crossing two potato lines:

• MS/8-1148: Known for its high vitamin C content.
• CP4242: Known for its purple skin and flesh.

• 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞:
• Approximate nutrient content per 100 grams:

Nutrient	Content
Vitamin C	42.75 mg
Zinc	2.28 mg
Iron	3.22 mg

 

• It also contains anthocyanins and carotenoids, which have antioxidant properties.
• Its higher micronutrient content may contribute to improving dietary quality.

𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐩 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬:

• Maturity Period: Approximately 90 days.
• Yield: Average 31.96 tonnes per hectare.
• Tubers: Around 10–12 medium to large tubers per plant.
• Appearance: Distinctive purple skin and flesh.
• Disease Resistance: Shows limitations against late blight under field conditions.

𝐌𝐚𝐣𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬:

• Consumer Acceptance: People may hesitate to consume potatoes because of their unusual purple colour.
• Disease Susceptibility: Susceptibility to late blight under field conditions may require fungicide application.
• Lower Yield: Its average yield may be lower than some other coloured potato varieties, such as Kufri Neelkanth.
• Economic Viability: Higher seed and disease-management costs may affect farmers’ profitability.
• Nutrient Retention: More research is required to understand how Indian cooking methods affect nutrient levels.
• Bioavailability: Further studies are needed to determine how effectively the human body absorbs these nutrients.

𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐬:

• Hidden Hunger: A form of malnutrition in which people consume sufficient calories but lack essential vitamins and minerals.
• Biofortification: The process of increasing the nutritional value of crops through conventional plant breeding, agronomic practices or genetic engineering.
• Anthocyanins: Natural water-soluble pigments responsible for red, purple and blue colours in plants. They also have antioxidant properties.
• Carotenoids: Natural pigments found in plants that contribute to yellow, orange and red colours; some also act as precursors of vitamin A.
• Late Blight: A destructive disease of potatoes and tomatoes caused by the oomycete Phytophthora infestans. It can rapidly destroy crops.

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞:

• Supports India’s efforts to address micronutrient deficiencies and hidden hunger.
• Promotes nutritional security through crop diversification and biofortification.
• Demonstrates the role of agricultural research in developing nutrient-rich food varieties.
• May improve dietary diversity and strengthen food-based approaches to nutrition security.

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: Kufri Jamunia highlights the potential of biofortification in combating hidden hunger. However, its success will depend on consumer acceptance, disease management, nutritional effectiveness and economic viability for farmers.