Tripura has achieved a major milestone in agricultural innovation with the successful adoption of Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) technology for potato cultivation under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) 2022–23. The initiative, launched in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP), Lima, Peru, aims to address challenges in seed quality and improve productivity in the state.
Speaking to the media at the Secretariat in Agartala on Friday, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath emphasized the importance of potato farming in Tripura’s economy. “Potato has secured a special place among our major crops. At present, 23,746 farmers cultivate potatoes on 47,637.5 kani (7,622 hectares) of land, producing about 1.46 lakh metric tonnes annually,” he said.
Tackling Seed Challenges
Despite its significance, Tripura’s average potato yield of 3,065.6 kg per kani (19.16 MT/hectare) has lagged behind the national average of 3,632 kg per kani (22.70 MT/hectare). Nath explained that the gap was largely due to poor seed quality, as farmers often relied on saved seeds from earlier harvests or purchased costly and disease-prone seeds from states such as Punjab and West Bengal.
Tripura had earlier introduced True Potato Seed (TPS) technology in the late 1980s with CIP’s support. While TPS initially gave promising results, delivering yields of up to 4,800 kg per kani (30 MT/hectare), productivity declined over time.
ARC Brings Transformation
The launch of the Better Seed Production of Potato through Apical Rooted Cutting (ARC) Technology project has brought a breakthrough. Nath said, “ARC has solved the long-standing seed quality issue. It has boosted productivity, empowered farmers, and strengthened the local seed system. With proven global success and technical support, ARC is ensuring sustainable self-reliance in Tripura’s potato farming.”
According to official figures, the introduction of ARC technology has increased Tripura’s average yield to 5,840 kg per kani (36.50 MT/hectare) — almost 90% higher than earlier levels.
Farmers Reap Record Harvests
Farmers across the state have welcomed the technology enthusiastically. Sajal Bhowmik from South Tripura recorded the state’s highest yield using ARC at 10,000 kg per kani (62.50 MT/hectare). Close behind were Kamal Debnath and Haradhan Sen, who harvested 9,936 kg and 9,968 kg per kani respectively.
Alongside ARC, Tripura has also introduced five new high-yield potato varieties — Kufri Mohan, Kufri Himalini, Kufri Uday, Kufri Lima, and Kufri Khar-2 — for cultivation in the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
Roadmap to Self-Sufficiency
Looking ahead, Tripura has set ambitious goals: achieving complete seed self-sufficiency by 2028–29 and full production self-reliance by 2029–30. Nath underlined the importance of continued collaboration with CIP, whose technical expertise will play a crucial role in improving productivity, ensuring seed security, and enhancing farmer incomes.
On Friday, Minister Nath met Dr. Simon Hech, Director General of the International Potato Center, and Dr. Niroj Sharma, Country Head, at the Secretariat. A day earlier, Dr. Hech visited the State Horticulture Research Centre at Nagicherra on the outskirts of Agartala to review the progress of ARC-based potato cultivation.