Exclusive interview for IndianPotato.com and POTATOES NEWS
We recently conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. SK Gautam, CEO of Survir Agritech Private Limited, an innovative Indian company specializing in aeroponic production of seed potatoes. He shared his professional journey, industry challenges, technological advancements, and his vision for global cooperation.
From Ground Zero to Industry Leadership
Mr. Gautam’s journey in the seed potato sector began from scratch. He started at Chambal Fertilizers, where he was part of a joint Indo-Australian project introducing aeroponic techniques. He later launched the potato seed divisions for leading companies like Mahindra and Bhooja Tuber.
“I started all three companies from scratch, bringing these technologies to India for the first time,” he recalls.
About Survir Agritech Pvt. Ltd.
Survir Agritech Pvt. Ltd. is an innovative agri-business venture, supported by PK Cold Storage, a leading Gujarat-based cold storage network. The company’s production facility is located in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand.
Their main focus is on aeroponic production of seed potato mini-tubers, with a current capacity of up to 25 million mini-tubers annually, and significant potential for expansion.
Why Aeroponics?
Mr. Gautam highlights the advantages of aeroponics over traditional methods like soil or coco peat:
- No soil contact, leading to lower disease risks
- High oxygen availability in the root zone
- Up to 40–50 mini-tubers per plant, far exceeding conventional yields
- Feasibility of speed breeding – potentially 4–5 cycles per year instead of 1–2
The Indian Market and Global Ambitions
India is the second-largest producer of seed potatoes in the world. However, the market remains underdeveloped and there is a growing demand for high-quality seed material.
Survir Agritech is exploring two main areas of international collaboration:
- Contract aeroponic multiplication of elite varieties for international breeding companies.
- Export of technology and joint ventures in Africa, where potato cultivation is becoming essential for food security.
“We are open to signing NDAs and rapidly multiplying any variety with maximum efficiency,” Mr. Gautam emphasizes.
Storage Infrastructure and Post-Harvest Quality
Survir Agritech works closely with PK Cold Storage, which operates 85,000 MT of cold storage capacity across Gujarat. This ensures superior storage and post-harvest handling for both domestic and export markets.
Survir Agritech is a powerful example of how innovation, technology, and international cooperation can transform the seed potato sector. Their aeroponic platform opens new opportunities for breeders, farmers, and exporters around the globe.
This article was prepared exclusively for IndianPotato.com and the POTATOES NEWS community.
Contact for collaboration: SK Gautam, CEO, Survir Agritech Pvt. Ltd. skgautam_in@yahoo.com
