Potatoes are one of the most widely grown and consumed crops in India. They serve as a staple food, processed product, and an essential ingredient in Indian cuisine. India ranks as the second-largest producer of potatoes globally, with states like Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab being major producers.
Potatoes are grown for table use, processing into chips, wafers, and fries, and for industrial purposes like starch production. Indian farmers cultivate numerous potato varieties suited for different regions, climates, and uses. In this article, we list the top potato varieties in India, highlighting their characteristics, yield potential, and uses.
1. Kufri Jyoti
Kufri Jyoti is one of the most widely grown potato varieties in India, developed by the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI). It is known for its high yield and disease resistance, particularly against late blight.
- Shape: Oval, smooth skin
- Skin Color: Light brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use and processing
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Punjab, West Bengal
- Characteristics: Early maturity, high yield, and drought resistance
2. Kufri Pukhraj
Kufri Pukhraj is a popular variety due to its early maturity and high productivity. The tubers are large, smooth, and uniform in size, making them highly suitable for table consumption.
- Shape: Oval with smooth skin
- Skin Color: Yellow
- Flesh Color: Light yellow
- Uses: Table use
- Regions: Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana
- Characteristics: Early maturing (70–80 days), high market value
3. Kufri Bahar
Kufri Bahar is an excellent variety for the Indo-Gangetic plains, known for its high yield and resistance to heat stress. It is suitable for both table consumption and chips processing.
- Shape: Round to oval
- Skin Color: Light brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use, chips
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat
- Characteristics: Mid-season variety, good storage quality
4. Kufri Chandramukhi
Kufri Chandramukhi is an early maturing variety known for its white, smooth tubers and high productivity. It is widely grown for fresh consumption in northern India.
- Shape: Oval and smooth-skinned
- Skin Color: White
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use, cooking
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana
- Characteristics: Early maturity, drought tolerant
5. Kufri Sindhuri
Kufri Sindhuri is a medium-duration variety known for its red-skinned tubers. It is ideal for table use and has a longer storage life, making it a farmer-friendly choice.
- Shape: Round to oval
- Skin Color: Red
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use, long storage
- Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
- Characteristics: Heat tolerant, high yield
6. Kufri Chipsona-1
Kufri Chipsona-1 is specifically developed for processing industries, including chips and French fries. It has a high dry matter content and produces excellent-quality chips.
- Shape: Oval
- Skin Color: Light brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Chips, French fries
- Regions: Gujarat, West Bengal, Punjab
- Characteristics: High dry matter, low sugar content
7. Kufri Chipsona-3
Kufri Chipsona-3 is another processing variety with superior qualities for the production of chips and snacks. It is widely grown in the northern plains of India.
- Shape: Round to oval
- Skin Color: Light brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Chips, fries, processing
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana
- Characteristics: Low sugar, high dry matter content
8. Kufri Khyati
Kufri Khyati is an early bulking variety suitable for short-duration cultivation. It produces uniform, medium-sized tubers with a light yellow skin.
- Shape: Oval
- Skin Color: Light yellow
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use
- Regions: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics: Early maturity, high yield potential
9. Kufri Himalini
Kufri Himalini is a variety specifically suited for hilly and cool climates. It produces smooth, round tubers with high yield potential.
- Shape: Round
- Skin Color: Brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use
- Regions: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir
- Characteristics: Cold tolerance, good shelf life
10. Kufri Lalima
Kufri Lalima is a red-skinned variety suited for medium-duration cultivation. It performs well under both irrigated and rainfed conditions.
- Shape: Oval
- Skin Color: Red
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use
- Regions: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
- Characteristics: Heat and drought resistance
11. Kufri Gaurav
Kufri Gaurav is a high-yielding variety with resistance to late blight, a common potato disease. It is suitable for cultivation in both plains and hilly regions.
- Shape: Oval
- Skin Color: Light brown
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use, processing
- Regions: Punjab, Himachal Pradesh
- Characteristics: Disease-resistant, high productivity
12. Kufri Ashoka
Kufri Ashoka is an early-maturing variety known for its smooth, white tubers. It is widely grown for table use and has excellent taste.
- Shape: Round to oval
- Skin Color: White
- Flesh Color: White
- Uses: Table use
- Regions: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana
- Characteristics: Early maturity, high yield
India’s diverse potato varieties cater to a range of purposes, including fresh consumption, processing, and long-term storage. From high-yielding varieties like Kufri Jyoti to specialized types like Kufri Chipsona, Indian farmers have a wide selection to meet market and industry demands. These varieties play a significant role in ensuring food security, profitability, and growth in the agricultural sector.
FAQs
Q1: Which potato variety is best for chips and fries?
A: Kufri Chipsona-1 and Kufri Chipsona-3 are ideal for chips and French fries due to their high dry matter content and low sugar levels.
Q2: Which potato variety has red skin?
A: Kufri Sindhuri and Kufri Lalima are popular red-skinned potato varieties.
Q3: What is the most commonly grown potato variety in India?
A: Kufri Jyoti and Kufri Pukhraj are among the most commonly grown varieties due to their high yield and disease resistance.
Q4: Which potato variety is suitable for hilly regions?
A: Kufri Himalini is best suited for cultivation in hilly and cool climates.
Q5: What is the best potato variety for early harvesting?
A: Kufri Pukhraj, Kufri Chandramukhi, and Kufri Ashoka are ideal for early harvesting.
