Theme: Agriculture | Spud-tacular growth: India’s potato is turning heads in global markets

In this episode of the State of the Economy podcast, MRS talks to Haresh Karamchandani, MD and CEO of HyFun, about the impressive rise of India as the second-largest producer of potatoes in the world, having surpassed expectations with 60 million tonnes of potatoes produced, despite some weather-related challenges earlier in the planting season.  The podcast delves into India’s emergence as a key exporter of frozen potato products such as French fries, hash browns, and chips, an industry that has grown significantly since 2007. As the demand for processed potato products increases both domestically and internationally, Karamchandani shares insights into the ongoing growth of the sector, including the shift of Indian farmers to process-oriented potato varieties due to assured pricing, and the increasing focus on production for export markets.  The conversation goes on to talk about the role of innovation and research and development in improving the quality and yield of potato crops. Karamchandani highlights the contributions of government bodies like the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), which is working on creating more resilient potato varieties that can withstand changing climate conditions. He also shares the initiatives I Fund Forbes has taken to support farmer education, such as their Vignan Shala and Pathshala programs, which demonstrate best agricultural practices and help farmers reduce cultivation costs while improving yields.  The podcast also discusses India’s potential to become the leading producer of potatoes and the largest exporter of frozen potato products globally by 2050. With increasing investment in both production and processing technologies, Karamchandani predicts that India will continue to play a pivotal role in feeding the growing global demand for frozen potato products.  (Host: Subramani Ra Mancombu Producer: Amitha Rajkumar) About the State of the Economy podcast  India’s economy has been hailed as a bright spot amid the general gloom that seems to have enveloped the rest of the world. But several sectors continue to stutter even as others seem set to fire on all cylinders.