Shimla: Potato Research Institute, Kufri has succeeded in developing a variety of potato which will not only be chemical free but at the same time it will also have the medicinal properties to fight many diseases. This variety of potato has been named as Kufri. This variety of potato has been developed for the first time in the country, although another variety with similar qualities has definitely entered the market abroad.
Dr Narendra Kumar Pandey, senior scientist (Principal Scientist and Divisional Head) at Potato Research Institute said that scientists had been working on this inventory project for about 12 years now. This newly developed variety, Kufri Nilkanth is a purple-coloured potato and is also delicious to eat. Apart from this, it is also very beneficial for health.
Dr Pandey told it contains ingredients that are helpful in fighting cancer-causing agents and also has antioxidant properties. Apart from this, it has a resistance power for 'jhulsa' (scorching) disease found in potatoes. So the farmers not need any spray or any other type of chemicals. This feature of Kufri Nilkanth has made it chemical-free.
Currently, 'jhulsa' (scorching) disease is a serious problem being faced by potato farmers all over the country. This variety of potato does not catch the scorching disease, so there is no need for any kind of spray and hence reducing the cost of cultivation.
Its production capacity is 35 to 38 tons per hectare. It can be grown more in the planes of North India with good yield in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bengal and Madhya Pradesh.
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