Agartala, March 4: A significant breakthrough has been achieved in organic potato cultivation in Tripura, with farmers in the Killa agricultural subdivision of Gomti district recording a bumper yield of ARC potatoes, producing nearly 38 metric tons per hectare.
For the first time, a crop cutting programme of organically cultivated ARC potatoes was conducted on Tuesday in the East Kupilong area, where farmers, agricultural officials, and public representatives expressed satisfaction over the impressive production results.
First Organic ARC Cultivation Initiative
Over the past few years, potato cultivation in Tripura has been promoted under the ARC (Aeroponic Rooted Cutting) system through the initiative of the State Garden and Orchard Crops Research Centre at Nagichhara, Agartala.
This year marked a milestone as organic cultivation of ARC potatoes was introduced for the first time across various districts with support from the Tripura State Organic Farming Development Agency. Under this initiative, selected farmers in Killa subdivision adopted the improved cultivation system.
Officials and Experts Attend Crop Cutting
The crop cutting programme was attended by:
- Sri Debashish Das, Deputy Director, Gomati District Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department
- Sri Debashish Sarkar, Assistant Director, Gomati District Horticulture & Soil Conservation Department
- Sri Avinash Das, Deputy Director, State Horticulture and Horticultural Crops Research Center
- Sri Orin Majumdar ,Nodal Officer of ARC Project
- Agricultural Supervisor Sri Shuvendu Majumdar
- Sri Ranganathan, Tripura State Officer of the International Potato Research Centre (CIP)
- Officials of the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department and local farmers
During the programme, Uday variety potatoes were harvested, revealing an average production of around 38 metric tons per hectare, considered exceptionally high under an organic farming system.
Farmers Witness Record Production
Farmers associated with potato cultivation for many years stated that this was the first time such high yield had been achieved through organic farming using the ARC system.
Apart from the Uday variety, several farmers also cultivated Mohan variety potatoes, many of whom have already completed harvesting successfully.
MLA Inspects Fields
Former Minister and local MLA Rampad Jamatia visited farmers’ households in East Kupilong and inspected the harvested produce. He interacted with farmers including Bishnumohan Jamatia and Birja Sadhan Jamatia, expressing satisfaction with both the size and productivity of the potatoes.
The MLA informed that five farmers were selected this year under the ARC cultivation initiative and urged that at least 50 farmers should adopt the system next year to expand production.
New Possibilities for Organic Agriculture
Agriculture experts believe that the success of ARC potato cultivation under organic practices could open new opportunities for sustainable farming and income enhancement in Gomti district and other parts of Tripura.
The achievement is expected to encourage wider adoption of scientific organic farming methods, strengthening the state’s vision of promoting high-value, eco-friendly agricultural production.
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