West Bengal Agriculture Department Adopts ARC Technology for Bumper Potato Seed Production

The West Bengal Department of Agriculture is launching a project to leverage Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) technology for potato seed production. This initiative, commencing in 2024-25, aligns with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's vision of eliminating dependence on potato seed imports from other states.

The project is being undertaken in collaboration with the International Potato Centre (CIP), a leading research organization headquartered in Peru. ARC technology, a cornerstone of the initiative, offers a faster and more efficient method for producing virus-free potato seeds compared to traditional methods. This technology involves taking cuttings from tissue culture plantlets instead of allowing them to mature and produce mini-tubers. These rooted cuttings are then transplanted into fields, resulting in seed tubers.

The project was initiated in 2023-24 with the distribution of 3.5 lakh ARC units across 13 districts to 57 project partners. This initial phase is projected to yield 28 lakh mini-tubers and subsequently, 105 metric tonnes of G1 potato seeds in 2024-25, followed by 630 metric tonnes of G2 potato seeds in 2025-26, directly benefiting farmers for their production needs.

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To ensure high-quality seed production, the Department of Agriculture is committed to establishing essential infrastructure such as tissue culture laboratories, greenhouses, playhouses, net houses, and cold chambers. This infrastructure development will significantly enhance the project's output, aiming for 25 lakh ARC units and 2 crore mini-potato seeds in 2024-25, further scaling up to 30 lakh ARC units and 2.4 crore mini-potato seed tubers in 2024-25, ultimately leading to the production of 6,000 metric tons of potato seeds by 2025-26.

Recognizing the importance of community participation, the project has already engaged 17 farmers' organizations, primarily Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs). The department actively encourages more farmers and entrepreneurs to join the initiative, promoting a collaborative approach towards achieving self-sufficiency in potato seed production.

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Acknowledging the limitations of tissue culture plant availability, the department views ARC technology as a key solution. While the state currently produces high-quality potato seeds through tissue culture in specific districts, the existing production falls short of the state's overall demand, necessitating significant imports. 

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