Alpha Agro applying tissue culture tech to end potato seed crisis
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Our Correspondent
NILPHAMARI, Feb 10: Alpha Agro Limited, a leading agro entrepreneur of the country is producing potato seeds by applying tissue culture technology in Nilphamari district for the last couple of years.
Sources said, till today farmers of northern region are using non-seed potatoes in their fields due to lack of quality seeds. Non-seed potatoes used as seeds, which do not yield must, are very vulnerable to viruses and diseases.
Alpha Agro cultivated 150 acres of land to produce potato seeds by applying tissue culture technology in Nilphamari district this year.
AFM Bodiuzzaman, deputy general manager of Alpha Agro, said recently in a press briefing in Nilphamari press club that, they planted tissue culture plantlets using latest technology and the require three stages to produce certified seeds which includes minituber seed, breeder seed and foundation seed and the seeds would be free from viruses like PVX and PVY.
The official commented that Alpha Agro also contemplating to establish agro-based industries in the region.
Sources added, the country requires 0.8 million (8 lakh) tonnes of potato seed every year to produce targeted 7.08 million (70,80,000) tonnes of potato as envisaged by the DAE for this year.
NILPHAMARI, Feb 10: Alpha Agro Limited, a leading agro entrepreneur of the country is producing potato seeds by applying tissue culture technology in Nilphamari district for the last couple of years.
Sources said, till today farmers of northern region are using non-seed potatoes in their fields due to lack of quality seeds. Non-seed potatoes used as seeds, which do not yield must, are very vulnerable to viruses and diseases.
Alpha Agro cultivated 150 acres of land to produce potato seeds by applying tissue culture technology in Nilphamari district this year.
AFM Bodiuzzaman, deputy general manager of Alpha Agro, said recently in a press briefing in Nilphamari press club that, they planted tissue culture plantlets using latest technology and the require three stages to produce certified seeds which includes minituber seed, breeder seed and foundation seed and the seeds would be free from viruses like PVX and PVY.
The official commented that Alpha Agro also contemplating to establish agro-based industries in the region.
Sources added, the country requires 0.8 million (8 lakh) tonnes of potato seed every year to produce targeted 7.08 million (70,80,000) tonnes of potato as envisaged by the DAE for this year.