Kufri Jamunia: ICAR-CPRI's biofortified purple potato rich in Vitamin C, anthocyanins, zinc and iron
On 18 October 2026, a PIB backgrounder highlighted Kufri Jamunia, a biofortified purple-fleshed potato variety developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) and officially released in 2024, to fight hidden hunger.
Summary
Kufri Jamunia is a nutrient-rich purple potato variety developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) and officially released in 2024, featured in a PIB backgrounder on 18 October 2026. The variety has purple skin and flesh and higher Vitamin C, anthocyanins and carotenoids than the earlier coloured varieties Kufri Neelkanth (2018, ICAR-CPRI's first purple-skinned specialty potato) and Kufri Manik (2021). Per 100 g it has about 42.75 mg Vitamin C, 2.28 mg zinc and 3.22 mg iron, against 23.15 mg, 0.28 mg and 0.57 mg in a common potato, and yields 32-35 tonnes per hectare. Biofortification raises nutrients in the crop itself through plant breeding, unlike fortification, which adds nutrients during processing.
Key facts
- Variety
- Kufri Jamunia (purple skin and flesh)
- Developed by
- ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI)
- Released
- 2024
- Earlier coloured varieties
- Kufri Neelkanth (2018, first purple-skinned), Kufri Manik (2021, red)
- Vitamin C (per 100 g)
- 42.75 mg vs 23.15 mg in common potato
- Zinc / Iron (per 100 g)
- 2.28 mg / 3.22 mg vs 0.28 mg / 0.57 mg
- Yield
- 32-35 tonnes per hectare
- Dormancy
- About 6-8 weeks
- Aim
- Address hidden hunger through biofortification
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Kufri Jamunia, a biofortified purple potato highlighted by PIB in October 2026, was developed by which institute?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI)
Consider the following statements about ICAR-CPRI's coloured potato varieties: 1. Kufri Jamunia was officially released in 2024. 2. Kufri Neelkanth, released in 2018, was ICAR-CPRI's first purple-skinned specialty potato variety. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2