A recent potato field day event brought together potato farmers from Gujarat and seed growers from Haryana. The gathering, hosted at Siddhi Farm (Siddhi Cold Storage), served as a platform for knowledge exchange and practical demonstration of Haryana’s seed potato performance in Gujarat’s distinctive soil conditions.
The event, which attracted approximately 100 farmers from both states, showcased the successful cultivation of various potato varieties using seeds sourced from Haryana. The demonstration plots, established with seed samples sent in October 2024 revealed promising results across different varieties. Notable among these was Kufri Mohan, which emerged as the top performer, followed by Kufri Thar 2 and Kufri Karan, indicating strong adaptation to local growing conditions.
The gathering was enriched by the presence of distinguished experts from the International Potato Center (CIP), including Dr. Kadian, Ms. Deepa, and Dr. Pooja. Dr. D. G. Patel, Station Incharge at the Potato Research Station in Deesa, led the proceedings, while representatives from prominent industry players such as Hyfun, Chill Fill, and Iscon Balaji contributed valuable insights to the discussions.
The venue’s host, Mr. Sandeep Saini, owner of Siddhi Farm, shared his positive experience with Haryana-sourced seeds from the previous season. His testimonial about the superior quality and performance of these seeds served as a compelling endorsement, encouraging other farmers to consider adopting seeds from Haryana in their operations.
The demonstration included an impressive array of potato varieties, carefully selected to showcase the diversity and quality of Haryana’s seed production:
- K. Mohan
- K. Thar 2
- K. Uday
- K. Pukhraj
- K. Frysona
- K. Himalini
- K. Chipsona 1
- K. Karan
- LR
- Santana
Beyond the technical demonstrations, the potato field day served as a crucial networking opportunity for participants. Farmers engaged in meaningful discussions about market challenges, seed quality, and potential areas for collaboration. These interactions highlighted the importance of direct farmer-to-farmer communication in addressing common challenges in potato farming and exploring new opportunities.
The event’s success extends beyond immediate agricultural benefits. By facilitating direct connections between seed producers and end-users, the initiative has laid the groundwork for sustainable partnerships that could reshape the potato farming landscape in both regions. For Haryana’s seed growers, this represents an opportunity to expand their market presence in Gujarat, while Gujarat’s farmers gain access to high-quality seed sources.
This collaborative event of Potato field day demonstrates the potential of cross-state partnerships in enhancing potato farming. By sharing knowledge, resources, and experiences, farmers from different regions can work together to overcome challenges and improve their potato farming. The success of this Potato field day suggests that similar initiatives could be beneficial for other crops and regions, potentially transforming the way farmers across India interact and collaborate.
