Tripura- Horticulture Dept Aims Self-Sufficiency in Potato Seeds with Innovative 'Apical Rooted Cutting' Technique

In a pivotal agricultural development, Tripura's Horticulture Department is initiating an innovative journey to enhance the production of top-quality potato seeds, aiming for self-sufficiency within the state.

Deputy Director Ghosh recently shared a promising update from the Horticulture Research Complex in Agartala. He said that the chosen method, the "apical rooted cutting" technique, is meant for technological enhancements.

He said that the ongoing struggle of procuring uniform potato seeds at exorbitant rates from external sources has posed a long-standing hurdle for potato cultivation in Tripura. In response, the state government has completely adopted the apical-rooted cutting technique to offer local farmers economical access to top-tier seed quality.

To launch the initiative, an impressive 50,000 seeds will be cultivated in an advanced greenhouse situated within the horticulture research complex, utilizing a dedicated 500-square-meter area. Ghosh shared details about the ongoing efforts to establish a specialized mother bed for seed cultivation.

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Furthermore, the Horticulture Department is collaborating with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru, South America, with an ambitious goal to empower Tripura's farmers to autonomously produce the best quality potato seeds within the next five years. The department will be guiding, offering technical expertise and capacity-building support, directly channeling the resulting seeds to local farmers.

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Ghosh emphasized the significance of this technology's implementation in neighboring states like Meghalaya and Assam in the Northeast region. These states have made impressive advancements in achieving self-sufficiency in potato seed production, reducing their reliance on external suppliers.

The primary aim of this initiative is to keep the funds that were previously spent on seed procurement within the state, thereby providing a self-reliant circular economy that holds the potential for a more successful future for Tripura's agricultural sector.

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