Disease-fighting potatoes grown in test tubes

Agriculture experts at Tripura’s horticulture research complex are developing 22,000 seedlings of potatoes and sweet (Sabri) banana which are strong enough to fend off any disease. Experts envision huge benefit for farmers from these varieties.

Agartala: Bygone are the days when crops are sown and experimented on vast fields. As it appears in the small tissue culture laboratory of Tripura’s horticulture research complex where 22,000 seedlings of potatoes and sweet (Sabri) banana are being developed under the same roof, one can easily presume the future of farming in the state.

With the advent of technology in the agriculture sector and relentless efforts being made by researchers and agriculture experts, Tripura will soon have its own cultured potato and banana varieties that are strong enough to fend off any infection of disease.

It has been made possible by agriculture officer Jharna Datta, who has been entrusted with the job to complete the research work. Speaking on the issue, Datta said, “The prime motive of the project is to develop TPS (True Potato Seed) parental lines and planting materials for the farmers."

"In the first year, pre-basic planting materials will be developed. After that, in the second year, these pre-basic materials will be brought here for multiplication and finally, in the third year, the crossing of the crops will be done. We will collect the final crops hereafter,” he added.

Apart from potato, she said, the department is also working to develop a disease resilient variety of (Sabri) sweet banana. “Since the demand of Sabri banana is higher in the local markets, we are working hard to develop a disease resilient variety. If this particular variety can be developed successfully, the farmers can avail huge benefit out of it,” said Datta.

According to her, all these varieties have stiff disease resistance powers and given its solid characteristics wherever these crops come in the fields, farmers will be able to get good benefit out of it. “There is a huge potential of employment generation through these crops”, she added.

Deputy Director Horticulture Research Complex Nagicherra, Rajib Ghosh said, these are one of the pioneer projects running under the research complex and hopefully positive results will be there when these crops will reach the farmers.

Tripura's Chief Secretary Manoj Kumar also paid a visit to the research complex to take note of the projects under progress and he is said to have appreciated the researchers for the commendable progress.