The government of Uttar Pradesh has launched aeroponic seed production centres in Kushinagar and Hapur as part of a drive to enhance the availability of high-quality potato seeds. The initiative is expected to reduce costs for growers by cutting dependence on soil-based methods, which are prone to contamination.

“Because soil is the biggest source of contamination, a soil-less medium is being used at these centres,” said sources in the state horticulture department.

Traditionally, seed potatoes in the state are cloned at government farms from breeder seeds supplied by the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), headquartered in Shimla, which operates regional centres across India, including Uttar Pradesh. However, conventional clones must be replaced after five years due to degeneration, adding to growers’ costs. Seed production typically represents about half of the total cost of potato cultivation.

“Better quality seeds are needed to reduce the cost of production,” horticulture department sources added. High-quality seed is expected to deliver higher yields by ensuring disease resistance, genetic purity, and consistency. A single plant grown from a quality seed can produce 50–60 tubers, which can in turn be used to expand planting.

Uttar Pradesh remains India’s leading potato producer, accounting for more than one-third of national output. Annual production in the state stands at 240 lakh metric tonnes, cultivated across seven lakh hectares. To sustain this scale of planting, more than forty quintals of seed are required per hectare.