Meghalaya CM Sangma inspects ongoing potato seed production programme in Upper Shillong

CM Sangma said that the scientific method has been introduced to ensure that there are better yields and quality potatoes

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma along with Agriculture Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today inspected the ongoing potato seed production programme at the Bio Resource Development Centre (BRDC) in Upper Shillong.

At BRDC, the officials gave a presentation on the Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) technique which is being used to produce potato seed through tissue culture plantlets.

After inspecting the programme, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that the scientific method has been introduced to ensure that there are better yields and quality potatoes.

He further said that the pilot project has been largely successful and the Government envisages introducing the technique on a large scale enabling potato farmers to double their income.

“We would like to encourage this method, so as to increase seed production and cultivation of potatoes in the State. We are hopeful that in the coming years, we can be the hub of seed production and export it beyond the State in neighbouring Northeast”, added CM Sangma.

He also visited the Kyrdemkhla Integrated Village Cooperative Society (IVCS) in Upper Shillong and interacted with the farmers, who have adopted the technique and are upbeat with the results.

The project titled “Seed Secure Meghalaya: Establishment of low cost formal and informal potato seed production system to enhance food security and income generation” is an initiative of the Government that aims to increase potato seed production and cultivation in the State and market the high yielding varieties of potato to markets across the Northeastern region and beyond.

The project is being implemented by International Potato Centre (CIP) in partnership with the Meghalaya Basin Management Authority, Department of Horticulture and Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla.

Under the project, 150 farmers were given Kufri Jyoti and Himalini varieties, 500 farmers were trained on integrated seed health management and storage, two tissue culture labs with a capacity of 1 lakh tissue culture plants were set up and 15146 ha area mapped for potato production using GIS mapping.

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