Agartala | September 13, 2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Potato, one of Tripura’s major cash crops, is undergoing a transformational shift thanks to the adoption of Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) technology under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) 2022–23 scheme. With technical support from the International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru, the state has been able to boost productivity by nearly 90%, marking a milestone in its journey toward self-sufficiency.
Current Status of Potato Cultivation in Tripura
Potatoes are cultivated across 47,637.5 kani (7,622 hectares) by nearly 23,746 growers, producing 1.46 lakh metric tonnes annually. However, until recently, the state’s productivity stood at just 3065.6 kg/kani (19.16 MT/Ha), far below the national average of 22.70 MT/Ha. The lack of quality seed material was the biggest hurdle, as most farmers relied on saved tubers or costly imports from Punjab and West Bengal.
Breakthrough with Apical Rooted Cutting Technology
The “Better Seed Production of Potato through Apical Rooted Cutting Technology” project, launched under RKVY, has changed the scenario. Farmers are now accessing disease-free, high-yielding seed material, distributed through tissue culture and ARC saplings.
- 2023–24: 21,337 ARC saplings distributed, covering 5.7 Ha, producing 152.1 MT seed potatoes.
- 2024–25: 38,469 saplings distributed, covering 20.5 Ha, producing 750.8 MT seed potatoes.
- By 2025–26, the project aims to cover 4,000 farmers and 285 Ha of land.
The adoption of ARC has increased Tripura’s average productivity to 5840 kg/kani (36.50 MT/Ha)—a leap of 90% from the earlier average.
Farmers’ Success Stories
The Apical Rooted Cutting Technology has inspired many farmers with its impressive results:
- Sajal Bhowmik (South District): Achieved a record 10,000 kg/kani (62.50 MT/Ha), the highest in the state.
- Kamal Debnath & Hardhan Sen (South District): Consistently produced over 61 MT/Ha using ARC.
Farmers also benefited from five new potato varieties introduced in 2023–24: Kufri Mohan, Kufri Himalini, Kufri Uday, Kufri Lima, and Kufri Thar-2.
Towards Self-Sufficiency
Tripura has set ambitious targets:
- By 2028–29: Achieve self-sufficiency in seed potato production, cutting dependence on imports.
- By 2029–30: Achieve complete self-reliance in ware potato production for both local consumption and markets.
CIP’s Role and Future Outlook
The International Potato Center (CIP) has been instrumental in introducing ARC technology, offering technical training, disease-free planting materials, and sustainable cultivation practices. The Government of Tripura is looking forward to continued collaboration with CIP to strengthen seed security, boost productivity, and improve farmer incomes.
With ARC technology, Tripura is not just increasing yields but also empowering farmers, paving the way for a self-reliant potato economy by the end of this decade.
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