In the North Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India, potato farmers have long faced a persistent challenge: limited access to healthy, timely seed potatoes. Geographically isolated from major seed-producing hubs in northern India, the region has traditionally relied on locally available, degenerated tubers, resulting in low productivity and reduced farm incomes. To overcome these constraints, researchers have turned to non-conventional seed multiplication technologies, with Apical Rooted Cuttings (ARC) emerging as a particularly promising solution. Between 2019 and 2021, ARC technology was evaluated and standardized by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (ICAR-CPRI) regional stations, demonstrating its suitability for the region’s favorable agro-climatic conditions, which allow near year-round potato cultivation.
The transition from laboratory innovation to farmer-led production began in 2022, when the Iaisanlang Farmers Group from Wahlynkien village in Meghalaya was selected as a frontline demonstration site. After extensive training on ARC production, crop health management, and agronomic practices, the group received rooted cuttings of improved varieties—Kufri Himalini, Kufri Megha, and Kufri Giriraj—along with essential inputs. The results were remarkable: cutting survival rates rose from 70–80% in 2022 to 80–90% in 2023, while minituber production grew from 7,000 to 9,000 over the same period. By the summer of 2024, the group had accumulated 2,670 kg of quality seed potatoes, enabling them not only to meet their own needs but also to supply neighboring villages and states, strengthening the concept of decentralized seed self-sufficiency.
Encouraged by this success, interest in ARC technology is spreading across the region. In a major milestone, ARC technology was certified by ICAR in July 2025 and has since been licensed to 12 firms for large-scale commercialization. The initiative underscores several critical lessons: continuous capacity building, strong collaboration between farmers and scientific institutions, and the power of community-based farmer groups are essential for successful technology adoption. Today, the Iaisanlang Farmers Group stands as an inspiring example of how scientific innovation, combined with farmer participation and institutional support, can transform agricultural practices and strengthen rural livelihoods in the hills of Meghalaya.
