Experts Call upon the need to Develop Punjab as a nucleus of seed production in international market

Chapparchiri/ Mohali/ Chandigarh, February 17, 2014:Third Technical Session of Progressive Punjab Agriculture Summit was organised on seed potato development.

The session was organised under the Chairmanship of Dr. Gurjeet Singh Kang Ex-Director Central Potato Research Station and panelists from nine different countries including Dr. Romke Wustman, Senior Agronomist, Wageningen University, Dr. Anton Haverkort, Crop Ecologist, Wageningen University, Marjit Leijten, Director, Netherlands Agro Food & Technology Centre (NAFTC) India, Jullian Parr, Director Asia CIP, South West and Central Asia SWCA, India, Jaideep Bhatia Director Agro, PEPSI Co.,  J.S. Minhas, Director, CPRS, Jalandhar participated.
Speaking on the occasion Dr. Kang said that Punjab is nucleus of Potato production in the country but it is time to look beyond and expand our horizons internationally. He stressed upon the need to develop post harvest handling techniques.
Jaideep Bhatia informed that India is the second largest producer of potato after China producing 40 million metric tonne annually but unfortunately only 3% of the produce is exported. He said that the country has the potential to double the growth as well as the exports but quality seed production in huge amount is challenge. He informed that degeneration in quality occurs due to progressive attack of viruses which is a setback. Highlighting the future strategies, he suggested promotion of the use of drip irrigation in potato cultivation, increasing awareness among farmers to use quality seed material and to come up with the concept of ‘seed village’.
Dr. Anton Heverkort spoke at length on advancement in seed potato technology and production in the world. He informed that Punjab exports potatoes to various parts of the country but internationally its role is negligible. Giving the example of Netherland , he informed that  it exports 60% of its produce so Punjab can replicate its techniques/technology and venture into international market. He also informed that potato saves water and land and thus this highly suitable in modern days when Punjab needs to follow water efficient /soil conservation techniques. He said that the cost of production of potatoes in Punjab is double that of Netherland so Punjab needs to look into this aspect as well and thereafter march towards becoming an export hub.
Dr. Romke Wustman presenting a comparative and analytical overview of Holland and Punjab seed system informed that Holland has developed a very strict quality check system involving three intensive inspection phases. He said that after clearing the three quality checks the seed is finally sent to the market but in India federal seed certification agency is lacking. He said only 1% of the seed is certified in Punjab so it is of paramount importance that proper quality checks may be introduced before entering the world market.
Marijn Leijten Director Agro Food and Technology Centre Netherland spoke on Indo-Dutch cooperation in potato sector and offered to set up a centre of excellence in Punjab for sharing good agricultural practices. He also stressed on the need to develop post harvest handling and storage methodology. He informed that soon an MoU would be signed for collaboration between India and Holland in this sector.
Later, progressive farmers JBS Sangha and Sukhjit Singh Bhatti shared their experiences.//punjab news live, punjab news online, punjab news, punjab news headlines, punjab breaking news, india news, punjab news, world news,

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