National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC)

The National Potato Innovation Centre (NPIC) is a collaborative initiative based at The James Hutton Institute in Scotland that advances potato science through partnerships with academic, industry, and governmental stakeholders in the UK and internationally. 

Its mission is to future-proof the potato industry by developing sustainable, climate-resilient production systems and innovative potato products. 

NPIC focuses on advanced breeding technologies to improve potato cultivars for climate change adaptation, disease resistance, and quality. It also develops resilient production systems using precision agri-tech such as robots, drones, below-ground phenotyping, AI, and modelling to manage disease, waste, and support net-zero farming. 

Additionally, NPIC explores innovative uses of potatoes, including extracting bio-actives from waste for medicines, creating plant-based products, and producing new functional foods from potato proteins. Recognizing potatoes' global significance for food security, NPIC supports economic resilience and growth by fostering innovation and is planning a state-of-the-art innovation facility to enhance its capabilities.