In the agricultural heartland of Etmadpur, Agra district, Jeetu Thakur from village Tihaiya Barhan has a journey to share in potato farming, achieving great yields that have set new benchmarks in the region. His success story is not just about choosing the right variety but also about his willingness to adapt and innovate in his farming practices.
With years of experience growing different potato varieties like Kufri Bahar, Super-6, and Kufri Mohan, Thakur’s quest for excellence led him to Kufri Sukhyati, a variety that would transform his farming outcomes. His journey to achieving over 400 bags per acre began with this crucial decision.
What makes Kufri Sukhyati stand out in Thakur’s experience is its unique combination of characteristics. The variety produces white tubers and shows moderate resistance to late blight, a significant advantage over other early-maturing varieties. This resistance helps protect the crop from one of the most devastating potato diseases, reducing the risk of crop failure and the need for excessive fungicide applications.
One of the most impressive features of Kufri Sukhyati that attracted Thakur is its versatility in harvest timing. The variety performs exceptionally well under both very early (60 days) and early (75 days) harvest conditions, providing farmers with flexibility in their harvesting schedule. This adaptability allows better market timing and risk management, crucial factors in achieving profitable farming operations.
However, Thakur’s success wasn’t solely based on variety selection. His innovative approach to agronomic practices, particularly his shift to 38-inch double bed planting from the traditional 26-inch spacing, played a crucial role. This modification required courage and conviction, as it meant departing from long-established local practices.
To implement this new planting method, Thakur collaborated with BNJ Virdi Agro in Khandauli to use a specialized potato planter designed for two-row planting at 38-inch spacing. While maintaining other practices like flood irrigation and fertilizer applications, this spacing modification proved to be a game-changer.
The wider spacing in the double bed system offered several advantages. It improved air circulation between plants, reducing disease pressure and creating better conditions for tuber development. The arrangement also allowed for more efficient use of resources, as plants had better access to nutrients and water, leading to improved tuber size and quality.
The results speak for themselves – consistently achieving over 400 bags per acre, higher than the average yields in his region. This success has made Kufri Sukhyati Thakur’s preferred variety, proving that the combination of the right variety and appropriate agronomic practices can lead to exceptional results.
Thakur’s experience highlights how Kufri Sukhyati’s inherent characteristics – early maturity, disease resistance, and high yield potential – complement modern farming techniques. The variety’s ability to perform well under different harvest windows provides valuable flexibility in crop management, while its moderate resistance to late blight offers added security against crop losses.
His story serves as an inspiration to other farmers in the region, demonstrating that success in agriculture often comes from being open to new varieties and willing to adapt traditional practices. Through careful variety selection and innovative farming methods, Jeetu Thakur has not only improved his own yields but also set a new standard for potato farming in the region.
Jeetu can be contacted at 9027239147, S/o Subhash Chandra, Village Tihaia Barhan, Agra
