In addition to tomatoes, onions, and spinach, potatoes are a typical vegetable staple in indian kitchens. The State administration intends to enhance output in the State due to the increasing market demand for potatoes. The lack of seeds or planting supplies is a significant issue with potato farming in the State. Traders in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and himachal pradesh as well as the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in shimla are where they are currently purchased.
The transportation costs associated with purchasing seeds from other States place needless constraints on farmers and account for between 40 and 50 percent of the entire cost of production. The Horticulture department intends to use Apical rooted Cutting (ARC) seed technology to create high-quality seeds at a reasonable price in order to address these challenges.

For this, the department sent a 15-person study delegation to Bengaluru's international Potato Centre (CIP) and university of Horticultural Sciences (UHS), which included progressive growers. The team developed an action plan to promote ARC technology in the State after seeing several nurseries, tissue culture labs, and fields. According to the action plan, during Vanakalam (Kharif), farmers would receive free seeds grown by ARC from CIP or other nurseries in Bengaluru, and the tubers (seeds) that are produced will then be utilised throughout the Rabi crop season.


Additionally, the COE at jeedimetla and mulugu is preparing the mother bed for an ARC of potatoes. Additionally, during the Rabi crop season, Sangareddy, Vikarabad, and siddipet farmers would receive subsidised plants produced from the mother bed. As soon as the Kharif and Rabi crop seasons are over, the Horticulture Department will commercially push ARC technology throughout the State.




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