Uttar Pradesh to produce potato seeds using aeroponics

INDIA – Uttar Pradesh has started producing potato seeds through aeroponics at two newly set up centres of excellence in Kushinagar and Hapur.

The technology allows potatoes to grow in the air without soil, which officials say will improve quality and reduce contamination.

“Because soil is the biggest source of contamination, a soil-less medium is being used at these centres,” said sources in the horticulture department.

At present, potato seeds are cloned at government farms from breeder seeds provided by the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), which is headquartered in Shimla and runs regional centres across several states including Uttar Pradesh.

Farmers not only grow potatoes for the crop but also for seeds, which must be replaced every five years due to degeneration.

Seed production takes up nearly half of the total cost of growing potatoes. Officials believe this is where aeroponics can make a difference.

“Better quality seeds are needed to reduce the cost of production,” said sources. They added that the seeds must be disease-resistant, genetically true to type and high yielding.

According to experts, a plant grown from a high-quality seed may produce 50 to 60 tubers. These tubers can then be used to grow more potatoes, creating a reliable cycle for farmers.

Importance to the State

Uttar Pradesh leads the country in potato production, contributing over one-third of India’s annual yield. The state produces around 240 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes every year across seven lakh hectares of farmland.

To sustain this, farmers need more than forty quintals of seeds for every hectare under potato cultivation.

The introduction of aeroponics aims to reduce dependence on traditional cloning and secure a steady supply of quality seeds for the state’s large farming community.

Alongside this, officials noted that similar technology is under review for wider use. Trials in other states have already begun, and Uttar Pradesh plans to track these outcomes closely.

The horticulture department confirmed that the centres in Kushinagar and Hapur will also serve as models for future expansion if results remain positive.

By adopting soil-less methods, the government hopes to cut costs for farmers, ensure healthier crops and strengthen the state’s position as the top potato producer in India.

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