Event Details
A significant milestone in agricultural advancement is set to take place on January 27 at Manuke village with the inauguration of the Gill Potato Seed Manuke Tissue Culture Laboratory, accompanied by a comprehensive farmers training program.
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Laboratory Inauguration
The state-of-the-art Gill Potato Seed Manuke Tissue Culture Laboratory represents a major step forward in potato cultivation technology. This facility will serve as a crucial resource for farmers in the region, providing access to advanced tissue culture techniques and scientific expertise.
Training Program Highlights
- Tissue culture techniques and applications
- Seed development processes (G1, G2)
- Pest and disease management strategies
- Balanced nutrition practices
- Potato processing methods
- Packing and marketing techniques
Khatra Potato Seed Group
The event is being organized by the Khatra Potato Seed Group, a prominent agricultural collective comprising over 2,000 farmers from Ludhiana, Moga, and surrounding areas. The group maintains an active WhatsApp community and has established strong partnerships with major contract farming companies including PepsiCo and McCain.
PAU’s Support and Innovation
Dr. SS Gosal, Vice-Chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), has pledged full institutional support for the initiative. PAU’s involvement includes:
- Technical expertise in tissue culture and seed development
- Access to PAU’s innovative potato breeding program
- Guidance on implementing speed breeding techniques
- Support for developing locally-adapted potato varieties
Recent Achievements
Dr Ghosal also informed PAU’s recent successes in potato breeding, including:
- Introduction of Punjab Potato 101 and Punjab Potato 102 varieties in 2023
- Implementation of speed breeding techniques reducing variety development time from 10 to 4-5 years
- Development of high-yielding varieties specifically suited to Punjab’s climate
Future Prospects
This initiative marks a significant step toward organizing and empowering potato farmers in the region. The combination of advanced laboratory facilities and comprehensive training programs is expected to enhance productivity and sustainability in potato cultivation across Punjab.
The event will take place on January 27 at Manuke village. All interested farmers and agricultural stakeholders are encouraged to attend this landmark occasion.
