Tripura partners with the International Potato Centre to boost production and seed quality, aiming for potato self-sufficiency by 2030. With advanced ERC technology, record yields, and processing centres, the state eyes surplus output and export opportunities.
In a strategic move towards achieving agricultural self-reliance, Tripura has partnered with the International Potato Centre (CIP), headquartered in Peru, to boost potato production and seed self-sufficiency in the state by 2030. Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare Minister Ratan Lal Nath made the announcement on Friday after a high-level meeting with CIP Director General Simon Heck and Country Manager Niroj Sharma.
Current Scenario of Potato Cultivation in Tripura
Potato is one of the most consumed crops in Tripura, yet the state has long struggled to meet its demand through local production. At present, 23,746 potato farmers cultivate the crop over 7,622 hectares (equivalent to 47,637 kani). Despite their efforts, annual production has remained around 1.46 lakh metric tonnes (MT), slightly short of the state’s annual requirement of 1.55 lakh MT.
For decades, Tripura has depended on external markets such as West Bengal, Punjab, and Gol Bazar in Agartala for potato seeds. These imported seeds often lacked quality assurance and traceability, resulting in poor productivity and higher risks for farmers.
The Shift from Traditional Seeds to New Innovations
Initially, the government introduced True Potato Seeds (TPS) to address the shortage, but farmers faced difficulties in adoption due to high costs and technical challenges. Recognizing the limitations, the state government embraced a more sustainable solution in 2023—the Epical Rooted Cutting (ERC) method.
Backed by ₹5 crore under the Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana (RKBY), the ERC method offers a game-changing approach to potato seed cultivation. This technique provides farmers with high-quality, disease-free planting material at affordable costs. According to Minister Nath, the shift has already transformed productivity levels across the state.
“In 2023, we distributed ERC saplings to 104 farmers. In 2024, this number rose to 402 farmers, and today more than 4,000 farmers are part of the program,” the Minister said. The adoption of ERC has yielded remarkable results—Tripura’s potato productivity has jumped from 19.16 MT per hectare to an unprecedented 62.50 MT per hectare, setting a new benchmark in the state’s agricultural history.
Partnership with International Potato Centre (CIP)
The collaboration with CIP is expected to accelerate Tripura’s journey towards self-sufficiency. The Peru-based global research organization specializes in potato and sweet potato innovation and has pledged comprehensive support in key areas such as:
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Technology Transfer: Introducing advanced potato farming techniques tailored to Tripura’s climate.
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Capacity Building: Training farmers and agricultural officers in modern cultivation and seed production.
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Seed Certification: Establishing a reliable seed certification system to ensure quality and traceability.
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Value Addition: Setting up a potato chips processing centre to boost domestic value addition and create export opportunities.
The establishment of processing facilities is seen as a crucial step not only for local consumption but also for positioning Tripura as a potential exporter of potato-based products in the future.
Roadmap to 2030
Minister Nath outlined a clear timeline for achieving self-reliance. By FY 2028-29, Tripura expects to become fully self-sufficient in potato seed production. Within the next fiscal year, FY 2029-30, the state aims to achieve complete self-sufficiency in potato production, ensuring surplus output to cater to export markets.
“Tripura’s farmers are showing tremendous enthusiasm in adopting ERC technology, and with the guidance of CIP, we are confident of transforming the state into a potato self-reliant hub,” Nath said.
Future Prospects
The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other northeastern states that face similar agricultural challenges. By integrating global expertise with local farming practices, Tripura is not only securing its food supply but also paving the way for rural prosperity, farmer empowerment, and regional trade opportunities.
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With productivity rising, farmer participation expanding, and international collaboration strengthening, Tripura’s ambitious target of becoming potato self-sufficient by 2030 seems well within reach. The initiative also aligns with India’s broader goals of reducing dependence on external sources for critical food crops while strengthening the agricultural economy.
