Over 30pc of potato seed requirements can be met from tissue culture labs at NARC.

ISLAMABAD -- More than thirty percent of potato seed requirements can be met from the tissue culture labs at NARC.

This was stated by Chairman PARC Dr Ghulam Muhammad Ali at media briefing on 'Progress and Future Plan for Seed Potato Production through Aeroponics technology', a joint project between KOPIA and PARC.

Pakistan and Republic of Korea are working jointly on seed potato production through Aeroponics technology and 2nd crop is ready to harvest at PARC-National Agricultural Research Centre Islamabad.

He said PARC and KOPIA are collaborating on a project for Aeroponic Potato Seed Production System, with the goal of achieving higher productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, promoting farm-level processing, developing human resources, and creating significant job opportunities.

Potato is one of major cash crop of the country and during 2022 it was cultivated on an area of 313,000 ha with total production of 7937,000 tonnes. Potato seed in Pakistan is mainly imported from Holland, which is not only expensive but also of the fifth generation or above. Pakistan's annual import of potato seed is around 12,000 to 15,000 tons, which costs around Rs. 2-3 billion. The local production of seed through this technology will help minimize this import bill.

During the event, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman PARC, expressed gratitude towards the Korean government and KOPIA team for their efforts in establishing Aeroponic technology for potato seed production at NARC Islamabad. Dr Ali emphasized the...