Pakistan is set to become self-sufficient in potato seed by mid-2022.
The country will start producing high-quality, virus-free, third-generation potato seed, applying aeroponic technology that it received from South Korea. The move will reduce the import bill for potato seed, which is $400 million per annum.
Aeroponic is a method for growing potatoes in air inside the bed in a greenhouse. The nutrients’ solution is misted onto the plants through nozzles to supply nutrients and water. The technology is highly suitable for tuber enlargement and easier to supply oxygen to the root zone.
This soilless method is for producing pre-basic seed with a higher yield more quickly, more sustainably and with greater profits than conventional methods. The producer can recover initial investments quickly owing to the high level of profitability.
Dawn.com reports that, currently, Pakistan imports about 15,000 tonnes of potato seed from various countries.
