Revolutionizing Agriculture for Economic Growth
Potatoes are not just a staple food but a crucial global crop that contributes significantly to food security and economic sustainability.
Recognizing its importance, the government of Tripura has intensified its focus on potato cultivation to boost farmers’ income and meet the growing demand for this essential crop.
With a vision to make the state self-sufficient in agriculture, the current administration, through the State Agriculture Department, has introduced cutting-edge farming techniques and high-quality seeds.
A key part of this initiative is the introduction of superior potato varieties from Peru and the adoption of the Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) method, a modern approach to increasing yields and ensuring sustainable farming practices.
High-Quality Seeds from Peru Empower Local Farmers
In a significant step toward agricultural modernization, Tripura’s agriculture department imported five premium varieties of potato seeds – Mohan, Lima, Himalini, Uday, and Sangam — from Peru, a country known for its expertise in potato cultivation.
These superior-quality seeds were distributed among farmers across the state, particularly in the Teliamura subdivision of Khowai district in Tripura.
The aim is to enhance production levels and provide farmers with access to high-yielding, disease-resistant varieties. The Teliamura Subdivision Agriculture Department spearheaded the distribution of these seeds, ensuring that farmers could integrate them into their cultivation practices.
The Impact of the ARC Method: Doubling Yield and Income
A major breakthrough in this initiative has been the implementation of the ARC (Apical Rooted Cutting) method, a scientifically advanced potato cultivation technique that significantly increases productivity.
Agricultural experts, along with Teliamura Subdivision Agricultural Supervisor Nitesh Dey, conducted extensive field visits to assess the impact of these new techniques.
Their findings were remarkable: farmers who had traditionally struggled with lower yields are now witnessing a twofold increase in production.
By moving away from conventional seed tubers—which often degrade over time due to disease accumulation—farmers using the ARC method have successfully improved their harvests, leading to higher profits and greater financial stability.
One of the most notable aspects of the initiative is its scale. Ten farmers across five gram panchayats were selected for the pilot phase, each receiving 100 kg of high-quality potato seeds.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with participating farmers reporting substantial improvements in their yields compared to traditional methods.
“We provided 100 kg of potato seeds under the ARC method to select farmers, and they have seen their yields double. This has brought immense satisfaction and financial relief to them,” said Nitesh Dey, emphasizing the success of the initiative.
Farmers Reap the Benefits: A New Era for Potato Cultivation in Tripura
The transformation is evident on the ground. Farmers in Teliamura subdivision, who once faced challenges due to low yields, are now witnessing a revolution in their potato farming practices.
Their incomes have surged, paving the way for broader adoption of scientific and technology-driven agricultural methods in the state.
Moreover, agricultural experts continue to work closely with farmers, gathering feedback and refining strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.
The ARC method, in particular, is proving to be a game-changer, offering a cost-effective and efficient alternative to conventional seed propagation.
What is the ARC Method?
The Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) method is an innovative technique in potato cultivation designed to produce high-quality seed potatoes efficiently and economically.
It is particularly beneficial in areas where access to disease-free, high-yielding seed potatoes is limited, as per the information available in internet.
This method involves propagating potato plants from rooted cuttings derived from the apical (top) portion of microplants grown in sterile laboratory environments through tissue culture. These rooted cuttings are then transplanted into the field, where they develop into mini-tubers or seed tubers.
Unlike traditional potato farming, where seed tubers are repeatedly reused—leading to disease accumulation and declining yields—the ARC method provides disease-free, vigorous, and high-yielding plants, ensuring better productivity and economic benefits for farmers.
