The Tripura government in India aims to achieve self-sufficiency in potato production by the 2029-30 financial year. The Agriculture and Horticulture Department has initiated a multi-pronged strategy, providing farmers with high-yield potato seeds and advanced cultivation techniques.
In the 2024-25 financial year, 402 farmers across eight districts received ARC (Apical Rooted Cuttings) potato seeds. This follows the introduction of five high-yielding potato varieties from Haryana: Kufri Mohan, Kufri Himalini, Kufri Uday, Kufri Lima, and Kufri Thor-2.
Previously, 104 farmers cultivated these varieties, with Sajal Bhaumik from Betagaon, South Tripura, achieving a yield of 61.2 metric tons per hectare, surpassing conventional rates.
The government procured 40 metric tons of seed potatoes at $0.30 per kg through the Tripura Horticulture Corporation to ensure seed availability. These were distributed to around 400 farmers, each receiving 100 kg of seeds.
Encouraged by harvest results, the government announced a seed procurement price increase to $0.34 per kg. In the 2025-26 financial year, the plan is to involve 4,000 farmers in high-yield potato cultivation using stored seeds.
The ARC method has shown promise, with Komal Debnath from South Tripura's Betaga achieving a yield of 51.2 metric tons per hectare. This method has attracted interest from farmers across Tripura.
This year's overall yield reached 36.5 metric tons per hectare, exceeding the traditional yield of 19.16 metric tons per hectare. The government assures strict monitoring to prevent misuse of subsidized seeds.
The Agriculture and Horticulture Department remains focused on expanding potato cultivation with an emphasis on sustainability and self-reliance.
Source: Tripura Times