Converging innovations for resilient seed potato production in the northeast

Abstract

Potato is a key crop in India, with the North Eastern Region (NER) offering significant potential for its cultivation due to favourable climatic conditions. However, potato farming in the NER is constrained by poor access to quality seed tubers, high costs, and reliance on long-distance transport, which leads to disease accumulation and reduced seed viability. To address these challenges, innovative seed production technologies such as micro-propagation, aeroponics, and apical rooted cuttings (ARC) are being promoted in the region. Micropropagation forms the basis for producing virus-free, genetically uniform planting material. These microplants are used in aeroponics systems to produce high-quality minitubers efficiently in controlled environments. In parallel, ARC technology provides a low-cost, decentralized method suited to smallholders, enabling the production of quality seed tubers at village level. The integration of aeroponics and ARC creates a complementary and scalable seed system that enhances local seed availability and reduces dependency on external sources, thereby enhancing the sustainability and productivity of potato farming in the NER.