Seeds of Change – Banas Dairy’s Mission for Potato Certified Seeds, Higher Yields. In a significant development for the Indian potato sector, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, recently visited the state-of-the-art potato processing and seed tissue culture facilities at Banas Dairy. The visit exemplifies a pivotal shift in India’s potato production strategy: a high-level focus on bridging the massive gap in certified seed availability to empower the nation’s farmers. This visit was not merely ceremonial but served as a strategic review of one of the country’s most ambitious interventions in potatoes. The Minister toured the French fry factory and the advanced seed tissue culture laboratory, expressing deep appreciation for the technology and scale of operations. However, the core message of the visit was a directive for urgent expansion. Recognizing the potential of the facility to transform potato farmer’s livelihoods, Shah urged the administration to scale operations “as soon as possible” to ensure the benefits reach the grassroots level immediately. The Great Indian Seed Gap The urgency behind this initiative stems from a startling disparity in the Indian potato sector. While India is one of the world’s largest producers of potatoes, the foundation of this production—the seed—remains a critical weak point. During the discussion, officials highlighted a staggering “seed gap” currently plaguing Indian potato farming. The national requirement for potato seeds stands at approximately 60 lakh (6 million) metric tonnes. In stark contrast, the availability of certified seeds from authorized agencies is a meager 1.2 lakh metric tonnes. Best Quality Potato Seeds Producer In India This massive deficit forces the vast majority of Indian potato farmers to rely on uncertified, poor-quality tubers for sowing. The use of inferior seeds leads to lower yields, higher susceptibility to disease, and ultimately, stagnating incomes for the potato farming community. The gap between 60 lakh metric tonnes of demand and 1.2 lakh metric tonnes of certified supply represents a market failure that Banas Dairy is now aggressively targeting. The Banas Solution: Tissue Culture and Minitubers Banas Dairy’s initiative, praised by Amit Shah, is designed to directly dismantle this bottleneck. By leveraging advanced tissue culture technology, the organization is moving beyond traditional farming methods to a lab-to-land model. The facility of Banas Dairy is producing high-quality, disease-free plantlets in a controlled laboratory environment. These are then grown into minitubers (G0), which are multiplied into subsequent generations (G1, G2, G3). This scientific rigor ensures that when the final seed potato reaches the farmer, it is genetically pure, free from viruses, and capable of delivering significantly higher yields than standard market varieties. The strategic vision is to democratize access to this technology. Currently, high-quality seeds are often prohibitively expensive or simply unavailable to small and marginal farmers. Banas Dairy aims to disrupt this by providing certified seeds at affordable rates, directly impacting the farmer’s profit margins. By improving the “quality of seed,” the dairy cooperative effectively ensures a higher quality of life for the producer. Link   A Roadmap for Self-Reliance The visit has catalyzed an ambitious roadmap for the near future. Following the Minister’s encouragement to expand, the department has outlined aggressive production targets. Over the next two to three years, the facility aims to ramp up production to supply approximately 50,000 to 60,000 metric tonnes of G3 (Generation 3) level seeds annually. This volume is significant. In an another move it is also planned to cover 15% to 20% of the potato seed requirement for the entire state of Gujarat. This projection is a game-changer not only for Gujarat’s farmers but nationally also. By securing a reliable source of 50,000+ MT of high-grade seeds, it can stabilize production cycles and insulate farmers from the volatility of the open seed market. Empowering the “Annadata” The core philosophy driving this expansion is the economic upliftment of the farmer. As noted in the recording, every step of this initiative—from the high-tech lab protocols to the massive scale-up targets—is aligned with the goal of increasing farmer income. When a farmer plants a certified seed, the risk of crop failure drops, and the output per acre rises. For a cooperative giant like Banas Dairy (part of the Amul network), this integration is seamless. They provide the seed, support the farming, and eventually process the harvest in their French fry and potato product factories. This creates a complete ecosystem where the farmer is supported at both the beginning (sowing) and the end (selling) of the agricultural cycle.   Amit Shah’s visit to Banas Dairy has shone a spotlight on a silent revolution brewing in the potato fields of India. By addressing the fundamental scarcity of certified seeds, Banas Dairy is not just planting potatoes; they are planting the seeds of prosperity. With a clear mandate to scale up and a target to cover a significant portion of the state’s seed requirement within three years, the initiative promises to bridge the gap between India’s potatopotential and its reality. As these high-quality seeds make their way from the lab to the soil, they carry the promise of a self-reliant, prosperous future for millions of Indian farmers.

बदलाव के बीज – बनास डेयरी का आलू प्रमाणित बीजों और उच्च उपज के लिए मिशन। भारतीय आलू क्षेत्र के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण विकास में, केंद्रीय गृह मंत्री और सहकारिता मंत्री अमित शाह ने हाल ही में बनास डेयरी में अत्याधुनिक आलू प्रसंस्करण और बीज ऊतक संस्कृति सुविधाओं का दौरा किया। यह यात्रा भारत की आलू उत्पादन रणनीति में एक महत्वपूर्ण बदलाव का प्रतिनिधित्व करती है: प्रमाणित बीजों की उपलब्धता में भारी अंतर को पाटने पर उच्च-स्तरीय ध्यान केंद्रित करना ताकि देश के किसानों को सशक्त किया जा सके। यह दौरा केवल औपचारिक नहीं था, बल्कि यह आलू के क्षेत्र में देश के सबसे महत्वाकांक्षी हस्तक्षेपों में से एक की रणनीतिक समीक्षा के रूप में कार्य करता है। मंत्री ने फ्रेंच फ्राई फैक्ट्री और उन्नत बीज ऊतक संस्कृति प्रयोगशाला का दौरा किया, और प्रौद्योगिकी और संचालन के पैमाने की गहरी सराहना की। हालाँकि, यात्रा का मूल संदेश तत्काल विस्तार के लिए एक निर्देश था। आलू किसान की आजीविका को बदलने की क्षमता को पहचानते हुए, शाह ने प्रशासन से “जल्द से जल्द” संचालन को बढ़ाने का आग्रह किया ताकि लाभ का पहुंच基层 स्तर पर तुरंत हो सके। महान भारतीय बीज अंतर इस पहल के पीछे की तात्कालिकता भारतीय आलू क्षेत्र में एक चौंकाने वाले अंतर से उत्पन्न होती है। जबकि भारत आलू का उत्पादन करने वाले दुनिया के सबसे बड़े देशों में से एक है, इस उत्पादन की नींव - बीज - एक महत्वपूर्ण कमजोर बिंदु बना हुआ है। चर्चा के दौरान, अधिकारियों ने भारतीय आलू farming में वर्तमान में पैदा हो रहे एक चौंकाने वाले "बीज के अंतर" पर प्रकाश डाला। आलू के बीज की राष्ट्रीय आवश्यकता लगभग 60 लाख (6 मिलियन) मीट्रिक टन है। इसके विपरीत, अधिकृत एजेंसियों द्वारा प्रमाणित बीजों की उपलब्धता केवल 1.2 लाख मीट्रिक टन है। भारत में सबसे अच्छे गुणवत्ता के आलू बीज उत्पादक यह विशाल कमी भारतीय आलू किसानों के विशाल बहुमत को uncertified, निम्न-गुणवत्ता के कंदों पर निर्भर रहने के लिए मजबूर करती है। निम्न गुणवत्ता के बीजों के उपयोग से उपज कम होती है, बीमारी के प्रति अधिक संवेदनशीलता होती है, और अंततः आलू farming समुदाय के लिए आय स्थिर होती है। 60 लाख मीट्रिक टन की मांग और 1.2 लाख मीट्रिक टन की प्रमाणित आपूर्ति के बीच का अंतर एक बाजार विफलता का प्रतिनिधित्व करता है जिसे बनास डेयरी अब सक्रिय रूप से लक्षित कर रही है। बनास समाधान: ऊतक संस्कृति और मिनिट्यूबर्स बनास डेयरी की यह पहल, जिसकी प्रशंसा अमित शाह ने की है, इस बाधा को सीधे तोड़ने के लिए डिज़ाइन की गई है। उन्नत ऊतक संस्कृति तकनीक का लाभ उठाकर, संगठन पारंपरिक खेती के तरीकों से एक प्रयोगशाला से भूमि के मॉडल की ओर बढ़ रहा है। बनास डेयरी की सुविधा नियंत्रित प्रयोगशाला के वातावरण में उच्च गुणवत्ता, रोग-मुक्त पौधों का उत्पादन कर रही है। इन्हें फिर मिनिट्यूबर्स (G0) में उगाया जाता है, जिन्हें बाद की पीढ़ियों (G1, G2, G3) में गुणन किया जाता है। यह वैज्ञानिक rigor सुनिश्चित करता है कि जब अंतिम बीज आलू किसान के पास पहुंचे, तो यह आनुवंशिक रूप से शुद्ध, विषाणुओं से मुक्त हो और मानक बाजार की किस्मों की तुलना में काफी उच्च उपज देने में सक्षम हो। रणनीतिक दृष्टिकोण यह प्रौद्योगिकी का लोकतंत्रीकरण करना है। वर्तमान में, उच्च गुणवत्ता के बीज अक्सर बहुत महंगे होते हैं या छोटे और सीमांत किसानों के लिए उपलब्ध नहीं होते हैं। बनास डेयरी इसको बाधित करने का उद्देश्य ले रही है, प्रमाणित बीजों को सस्ती दरों पर प्रदान करके, सीधे किसान की लाभप्रदता पर प्रभाव डालने के लिए। "बीज की गुणवत्ता" में सुधार करके, डेयरी सहकारी प्रभावी ढंग से निर्माता के लिए जीवन की गुणवत्ता में सुधार सुनिश्चित करती है। एक आत्मनिर्भरता के लिए रोडमैप इस यात्रा ने निकट भविष्य के लिए एक महत्वाकांक्षी रोडमैप को उत्प्रेरित किया है। मंत्री के विस्तार के प्रोत्साहन के बाद, विभाग ने आक्रामक उत्पादन लक्ष्यों को रेखांकित किया है। अगले दो से तीन वर्षों में, सुविधा का लक्ष्य हर साल लगभग 50,000 से 60,000 मीट्रिक टन G3 (Generation 3) स्तर के बीजों की आपूर्ति बढ़ाना है। यह मात्रा महत्वपूर्ण है। एक अन्य कदम में, पूरे राज्य गुजरात की आलू बीज आवश्यकता का 15% से 20% भी कवर करने की योजना है। यह भविष्यवाणी न केवल गुजरात के किसानों के लिए बल्कि राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर भी गेम-चेंजर है। 50,000+ मीट्रिक टन उच्च-ग्रेड बीजों के एक विश्वसनीय स्रोत को सुरक्षित करके, यह उत्पादन चक्रों को स्थिर कर सकता है और किसानों को खुली बीज बाजार की उतार-चढ़ाव से बचा सकता है। "अन्नदाता" को सशक्त करना इस विस्तार को आगे बढ़ाने वाली मूल दर्शनशास्त्र किसान की आर्थिक उन्नति है। जैसे कि रिकॉर्डिंग में उल्लेख किया गया है, इस पहल का हर कदम - उच्च तकनीक प्रयोगशाला प्रोटोकॉल से लेकर विशाल पैमाने का लक्ष्य - किसान की आय बढ़ाने के उद्देश्य के अनुरूप है। जब एक किसान एक प्रमाणित बीज बोता है, तो फसल विफलता का जोखिम कम हो जाता है और प्रति एकड़ आउटपुट बढ़ता है। अमूल नेटवर्क का हिस्सा बनास डेयरी जैसे सहकारी दिग्गज के लिए, यह एकीकरण सहज है। वे बीज प्रदान करते हैं, खेती को समर्थन देते हैं, और अंततः अपनी फ्रेंच फ्राई और आलू उत्पाद फैक्ट्रियों में फसल को प्रसंस्कृत करते हैं। यह एक पूर्ण पारिस्थितिकी तंत्र बनाता है जहाँ किसान को कृषि चक्र के शुरुआत (बोई) और अंत (बेची) में दोनों स्तरों पर समर्थन मिलता है। अमित शाह की बनास डेयरी यात्रा ने भारत के आलू खेतों में एक चुप्पा क्रांति पर ध्यान केंद्रित किया है। प्रमाणित बीजों की मौलिक कमी को संबोधित करके, बनास डेयरी केवल आलू नहीं बो रही है; वे समृद्धि के बीज बो रहे हैं। व्यापक पैमाने पर बढ़ने के स्पष्ट मंडेट और राज्य की बीज आवश्यकताओं के एक बड़े हिस्से को तीन वर्षों के भीतर कवर करने का लक्ष्य के साथ, यह पहल भारत की आलू संभावनाओं और उसकी वास्तविकता के बीच के अंतर को पाटने का वादा करती है। जैसे ही ये उच्च गुणवत्ता वाले बीज प्रयोगशाला से भूमि तक पहुंचते हैं, वे लाखों भारतीय किसानों के लिए आत्मनिर्भर, समृद्ध भविष्य का आश्वासन लेकर आते हैं।

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Why a Bumper Harvest is Spelling Trouble for Punjab’s Doaba Potato Farmers. In the heart of Punjab’s fertile Doaba region, the arrival of the potato harvesting season is usually a time of bustling activity and economic hope. However, this year, the sprawling green fields of Jalandhar and Kapurthala are clouded by a sense of deep unease. For the farmers of this “potato belt,” a combination of leftover stocks from the previous year and the prospect of an exceptionally high output this season has created a paradoxical crisis of plenty. While a bumper crop is typically celebrated, for the potato growers of Punjab, it has become a harbinger of financial distress. The market is currently grappling with a supply-demand imbalance that threatens to push farm-gate prices below the cost of production, leaving many questioning the viability of their hard work. The Glut from Yesterday The roots of the current crisis lie in the tail end of the previous agricultural cycle. Last year, Punjab witnessed a highly productive season, but the market failed to absorb the entirety of the harvest. Significant quantities of potatoes remained in cold storage, unsold and waiting for a price correction that never materialized. Link As the new harvest begins, these old stocks continue to sit in warehouses, occupying space and dampening the demand for fresh produce. This overlap is a critical factor in the current price slump. When fresh potatoes enter a market already saturated with old stock, the immediate consequence is a sharp decline in wholesale rates. For many Doaba farmers, the struggle isn’t just about selling this year’s crop; it’s about clearing the debts incurred from the one that didn’t sell last year. Prices on the Brink The early varieties of potatoes, such as Kufri Pukhraj, are already hitting the market. These 60-day crops are essential for maintaining a farmer’s cash flow. However, the current farm-gate prices are hovering around ₹6 to ₹7 per kilogram. According to local agricultural representatives, these rates barely cover the basic input costs—seeds, fertilizers, diesel, and labor. Jaswinder Sangha, a prominent voice in the Jalandhar Potato Growers Association, has pointed out that at these rates, there is zero profit margin. “We are just at par with the expenses,” he noted, reflecting a sentiment shared by thousands. Without a profit margin, farmers find it impossible to reinvest in the next cropping cycle or service the high-interest loans often taken from local commission agents or banks. A Nationwide Surplus The crisis is not confined to Punjab alone. Agriculture is a national network, and this year, several major potato-producing states—including West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha—are assumed to report higher-than-average production. Link Historically, Punjab has served as the “seed hub” for the rest of the country. Doaba farmers take pride in producing high-quality seeds that are exported to the eastern and southern states. However, logistical hurdles and political events elsewhere have disrupted this vital trade link. For instance, recent elections in Bihar and labor shortages in West Bengal have slowed down the off-loading of Punjab’s seed consignments. Delays in transportation, exacerbated by unseasonal weather in some regions, have led to some supplies rotting in transit, adding physical loss to financial injury. The Double-Edged Sword of Technology Interestingly, the very innovations that have made Doaba farmers world leaders in potato production are now contributing to the oversupply. The region has seen a surge in the use of advanced agricultural technologies. Many farmers have established private tissue culture laboratories, allowing them to multiply high-yield varieties sourced from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) in Kufri. Techniques like aeroponics—growing plants in an air or mist environment without soil—have also gained traction, significantly boosting the output of virus-free potato seeds. While this technological leap exemplifies the Punjab farmer’s progressive mindset, it has also led to a production capacity that currently outstrips the market’s ability to consume or export. The Weather Factor: A Fickle Friend In a typical year, farmers worry about “Late Blight,” a devastating fungal disease triggered by fog, smog, and frost. This year, the weather has been unusually clear. While the absence of blight is a relief, it also means that the survival rate of the crop is nearly 100%. As Jang Bahadur Sangha, one of the region’s largest growers, observed, if the weather remains clear for another fortnight, the region will see a massive bumper crop of varieties like Kufri Chandramukhi, Kufri Jyoti, and Diamond. In a stable market, this would be a windfall. In a saturated market, every extra bag of potatoes harvested further depresses the price, turning nature’s bounty into an economic burden. The Consumer-Politician Nexus vs. The Grower There is a growing sense of frustration among farmers regarding the “demand-supply ratio.” While low potato prices are a boon for urban consumers and a relief for politicians looking to keep food inflation in check, the grower is the one subsidizing this cheap food with their own losses. Farmers argue that there is a lack of a robust government intervention mechanism to stabilize prices during a glut. Unlike wheat and paddy, which benefit from the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and government procurement, potatoes are largely left to the mercy of the open market. When the market fails, the farmer has no safety net. Summary The potato farmers of Doaba are among the most resilient and innovative in the world. They have turned a humble tuber into a regional powerhouse. Yet, as they stand amidst fields of plenty, they face a future of uncertainty. The sight of farm workers diligently gathering the new harvest should be one of prosperity, but without structural changes to the market and government support, it remains a cycle of struggle. For the Doaba farmer, the hope now rests on a miracle of the market—or perhaps a lesson for the policy-makers: that a bumper crop should never be a cause for worry in a country that prides itself on its agricultural heritage. Until then, the surplus stocks remain a heavy weight on the shoulders of those who feed the nation. Inputs from : The Tribune

पंजाब के दोआबा आलू किसानों के लिए बम्पर फसल क्यों परेशानी का सबब बन रही है। पंजाब के उपजाऊ दोआबा क्षेत्र के दिल में आलू की फसल कटाई का मौसम आमतौर पर व्यस्तता और आर्थिक आशा का समय होता है। हालाँकि, इस वर्ष जलंधर और कपूरथला के फैले हुए हरे खेतों में गहरी चिंता की भावना छाई हुई है। इस "आलू बेल्ट" के किसानों के लिए, पिछले वर्ष के बचे हुए स्टॉक्स और इस मौसम में असाधारण उच्च उत्पादन की संभावना ने abundance की एक विरोधाभासी संकट उत्पन्न कर दिया है। जबकि बम्पर फसल को आमतौर पर मनाया जाता है, पंजाब के आलू उत्पादकों के लिए, यह वित्तीय संकट का एक सूचक बन गया है। बाजार इस समय एक आपूर्ति-प्रतिदान असंतुलन का सामना कर रहा है जो कृषि द्वार मूल्य को उत्पादन लागत से नीचे धकेलने की धमकी दे रहा है, जिससे कई लोग अपने कड़ी मेहनत की व्यवहार्यता पर सवाल उठा रहे हैं। पिछले वर्ष का अधिशेष वर्तमान संकट की जड़ें पिछले कृषि चक्र के अंत में हैं। पिछले वर्ष, पंजाब ने एक अत्यधिक उत्पादक मौसम का अनुभव किया, लेकिन बाजार ने फसल के संपूर्ण स्टॉक को समाहित करने में असफलता दिखाई। आलू की महत्वपूर्ण मात्रा कोल्ड स्ट...
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The Story of McPatel Foods: A Partnership Forged in Europe. McPatel Foods emerged in 2023 from a shared vision among four founders aimed at revolutionizing the frozen food sector within the Indian market. The company’s vision, conceived collectively by the four directors and founders—Karan Sarodia, Aditya Patel, Kirit Haraniya, and Jignesh Patel—was explicitly defined to provide the best quality products to Indian customers while simultaneously focusing on the export market. The company established its operations specifically focusing on frozen French fries. The creation of McPatel Foods was the result of a singular, impactful trip undertaken by the four directors. They were already acquainted, coming from different industries. This pivotal moment occurred when they all attended the Anuga Europe trade fair, in late 2023, with the intention of exploring the frozen food market. It was during this exploration that the idea for McPatel Foods was conceived, leading to the birth of the company. Founders attribute the company’s existence directly to this journey, stating that if the Anuga trip had not happened, the company likely would not be where it is today. Following the trip, the founders collectively decided to establish the company and introduce their brand for processed potato products to the market. Corporate Identity and Director Insight The name “Mc Patel” itself reflects a core aspect of the company’s identity, as the founders “belong to the Patel family”. The directors, whose home state is Gujarat, leverage their local heritage and connections. Their background allows them to have a strong “connect and reach with the farmers and with everyone”. The directors are not only founders but are deeply invested in the operational side, particularly concerning raw material sourcing and farming relationships. Vision, Implementation, and Rapid Growth Despite being a young company, McPatel demonstrated rapid execution, a hallmark of their early operations. With a strong vision, the company initiated its production facility within a year of its inception, ensuring the facility was equipped with “all the best-in-class machineries”. They successfully launched both domestic and export sales within the year of starting production. The current production facility demonstrates a significant capacity even in its initial phase. The facility currently utilizes raw potatoes at a rate of 10 to 12 tons per hour. This raw material consumption translates into finished goods output of 5 tons per hour of frozen French fries. Additionally, recognizing the complementary nature of potato processing, McPatel also established a line for dehydrated potato flakes, currently running at a capacity of 500 kg per hour. Deep Commitment to Contract Farming A critical element of McPatel’s operation and philosophy is its integrated approach to raw material sourcing, centred on contract farming. Given that the founders belong to the Patel family and are closely connected to the farming community, this relationship is foundational. McPatel actively engages in contract farming with producers in Gujarat and neighbouring states. This partnership goes beyond simple purchasing; the company provides significant support to the farmers. Specifically, McPatel helps farmers grow by supplying essential raw materials, such as the specialized potato seeds needed for processing. Furthermore, the company aids them with knowledge regarding plantations and farming techniques. The commitment is cemented by a buy-back agreement, where McPatel purchases the raw potatoes produced under these contracts for use in their factories. This strategy ensures a consistent, high-quality supply of potatoes necessary for best-in-class frozen products. The company has emphasized its plan to “grow with our farmers”. Ambitious Future Expansion Plans McPatel Foods has laid out highly ambitious expansion goals slated for implementation within the coming three years. This expansion is multifaceted, targeting increased raw material handling, greater output of existing products, and diversification into new product lines. The planned expansion will dramatically increase the raw potato processing capability. The current consumption of 10 to 12 tons of raw material per hour is intended to expand substantially, reaching a future capacity of 40 to 50 tons of raw material (potatoes) per hour. In terms of finished goods, the frozen French fries line will see a major upgrade. An additional production line is planned, which will add approximately 20 tons per hour of capacity for frozen French fries. Complementing this, the dehydrated potato flake line is also set for expansion, targeting an increased capacity up to 1.2 tons per hour. Significantly, the expansion includes diversification into specialized products. The company plans to introduce a potato speciality line, which will include products such as hash browns, burger patties , aloo Tikki, and other potato speciality products. This comprehensive expansion plan, projected to be completed within two years, underlines McPatel’s commitment to capturing a larger share of the developing Indian frozen food market.

मैकपटेल फूड्स की कहानी: यूरोप में एक साझेदारी का निर्माण मैकपटेल फूड्स 2023 में चार संस्थापकों के बीच साझा दृष्टिकोण से उभरा, जिसका उद्देश्य भारतीय बाजार में जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के क्षेत्र में क्रांति लाना था। कंपनी का दृष्टिकोण, जिसे चार निदेशकों और संस्थापकों — करण सारोड़िया, आदित्य पटेल, कीरत हरनिया, और जिनेश पटेल — द्वारा सामूहिक रूप से विकसित किया गया था, को स्पष्ट रूप से परिभाषित किया गया था ताकि भारतीय ग्राहकों को सर्वोत्तम गुणवत्ता वाले उत्पाद प्रदान किए जा सकें, साथ ही निर्यात बाजार पर भी ध्यान केंद्रित किया जा सके। कंपनी ने विशेष रूप से जमी हुई आलू फ्राइज़ पर ध्यान केंद्रित करते हुए अपने संचालन की स्थापना की। मैकपटेल फूड्स का निर्माण चार निदेशकों द्वारा किए गए एक विशेष, प्रभावशाली यात्रा का परिणाम था। वे पहले से ही अलग-अलग उद्योगों से परिचित थे। यह महत्वपूर्ण क्षण तब हुआ जब वे सभी 2023 के अंत में अनुगा यूरोप व्यापार मेले में भाग लेने गए, जिसका उद्देश्य जमी हुई खाद्य पदार्थों के बाजार का अन्वेषण करना था। इसी अन्वेषण के दौरान मैकपटेल फूड्स का विचार उत्पन्न हुआ, जिससे कंपनी क...
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West Bengal’s Sanjoy Guha Roy Identifies Why Potato Crops Fail Every Year. In India, the potato is more than just a vegetable—it is a staple, a livelihood, and a cornerstone of food security—a silent enemy has long eluded the grasp of science. For decades, farmers in the Indo-Gangetic plains have watched in despair as their lush green fields turned into a blackened, rotting mass within days. This devastation is caused by Late Blight, a disease triggered by the notorious oomycete Phytophthora infestans. While the symptoms were well-known, the source of the recurring infection remained a subject of intense debate. A groundbreaking study led by Professor Sanjoy Guha Roy from the Department of Botany at West Bengal State University (Barasat) has finally unmasked the culprit. Published in the prestigious journal Phytopathology—the century-old flagship publication of the American Phytopathological Society—the research identifies seed potatoes as the primary reservoir for the disease. Specifically, the study reveals that even “high-tech” seed potatoes, produced under laboratory conditions, harbor hidden, dormant infections that bridge the gap between cropping seasons. The Historical Ghost and Modern Economic Toll To understand the weight of this discovery, one must look back at the 1840s. Phytophthora infestans was the primary cause of the Great Irish Potato Famine, which led to the death of over a million people and changed the course of history through mass migration. In modern India, the second-largest potato producer in the world, the pathogen remains a formidable foe. Link According to the research team, Late Blight claims approximately 15% of India’s total potato production annually. In monetary terms, this translates to a staggering loss of roughly ₹2,700 crore. In years where the disease takes an epidemic form, the losses can be even more catastrophic, pushing debt-ridden farmers to the brink of suicide. Despite the use of expensive fungicides, the disease frequently returns, leading scientists to ask: where does the pathogen hide during the blistering Indian summer when the soil temperature becomes too high for it to survive? The Myth of Soil-Borne Survival In many parts of the world, Late Blight survives in the soil through thick-walled structures called oospores. However, in the tropical and sub-tropical plains of India, the intense heat of the “off-season” (summer) was long thought to be lethal to the pathogen. Some experts theorized that the infection migrated every year from the cooler Himalayan regions or survived in alternative host plants. Professor Guha Roy’s research has effectively debunked these theories for the Indian plains. Through rigorous soil testing and experimental trials under high-temperature conditions, the team found no evidence of the pathogen surviving in the soil between seasons. Instead, they turned their attention to the seed tubers themselves. The study involved testing over 7,000 seed potatoes that appeared perfectly healthy to the naked eye. Using advanced molecular diagnostics and genetic analysis, the researchers discovered that approximately 1.6% of these “healthy” seeds were actually asymptomatic carriers. These tubers contained the pathogen in a dormant state, waiting for the cooler, humid conditions of the winter planting season to reactivate and spread to the rest of the crop. The Paradox of High-Tech Seed Production One of the most alarming findings of the study is that even modern seed production systems are not immune. Today, many farmers rely on seeds produced via tissue culture in specialized labs. These “Pre-Basic” seeds are initially pathogen-free. However, before they reach the farmer, they must be “multiplied” in the field or in greenhouses (often called net-houses or glasshouses) to produce enough volume for commercial sale. Link The researchers identified this multiplication phase as the critical point of failure. In many potato-growing regions, such as Punjab and West Bengal, these seed-multiplication nurseries are located in close proximity to commercial potato fields. During the growing season, spores from infected commercial crops can easily find their way into the supposedly “protected” greenhouses through wind or human activity. Once the seed plants are infected, the pathogen hitches a ride inside the newly formed tubers, where it remains hidden throughout the summer storage period. The European Connection: A More Aggressive Lineage The research also provided a genetic profile of the enemy. The dominant strain currently wreaking havoc in India belongs to the “European clonal lineage,” specifically the genotype known as EU_13_A2. This lineage is significantly more aggressive than the strains previously found in India. It is also notably resistant to Metalaxyl, one of the most commonly used and affordable fungicides. The presence of this lineage explains why recent outbreaks have been so swift and difficult to control. By surviving inside the seed potato, this aggressive strain ensures its survival across seasons, effectively “seeding” the next epidemic even before the farmer has finished planting. Identifying the “Stem Lesion” Clue The study sheds light on how the disease begins its visible assault. In many cases, the infection starts not on the leaves, but as small, dark lesions on the stem of the plant. These stem lesions often go unnoticed by farmers in the early stages. However, they serve as a factory for spores that quickly wash down into the soil or blow across the field, leading to the rapid-fire destruction characteristic of Late Blight. The identification of stem-focused infection pathways is crucial for improving early warning systems. If farmers can be trained to look for these early indicators on the stems of emerging plants, they may be able to take preventative action before the entire field is compromised. A Roadmap for the Future The recognition of Professor Guha Roy’s work as an “Editor’s Pick” in Phytopathology highlights its global significance. It provides a clear directive for policymakers and agricultural scientists in India and other developing nations. To break the cycle of Late Blight, the following steps are essential: Stricter Certification and Monitoring: Current seed certification processes must include molecular testing for asymptomatic infections. Relying on visual inspection alone is clearly insufficient. Strategic Relocation of Nurseries: Seed multiplication should be moved to “blight-free” zones or areas geographically isolated from commercial potato crops to prevent cross-contamination. Modern Diagnostic Kits: There is an urgent need to develop affordable, field-level diagnostic kits that can help seed producers and government agencies identify latent infections in stored tubers. Integrated Management: Since the pathogen is now known to be seed-borne, farmers should be encouraged to use certified, tested seeds and adopt “prophylactic” (preventative) fungicide applications rather than waiting for symptoms to appear. Conclusion The work of the West Bengal State University research team marks a turning point in the fight against one of the world’s most devastating plant diseases. By identifying the humble seed potato as the secret hideout for Phytophthora infestans, they have provided the missing link in the epidemiological chain. As India strives to ensure food security for its growing population, protecting the potato crop is non-negotiable. This discovery not only honors the scientific excellence emerging from Bengal but also offers a beacon of hope for millions of farmers whose livelihoods depend on the health of their tubers. The “Silent Saboteur” has been found; the next challenge lies in making sure it has nowhere left to hide.

पश्चिम बंगाल के संजय गुहा रॉय ने पहचान की है कि हर साल आलू की फसलें क्यों असफल होती हैं। भारत में, आलू केवल एक सब्जी नहीं है—यह एक मुख्य खाद्य पदार्थ, जीवन यापन का साधन और खाद्य सुरक्षा का आधार है—एक मौन दुश्मन लंबे समय से विज्ञान की पकड़ से बाहर रहा है। दशकों से, इंडो-गंगेय मैदानों में किसान निराशा से देखते आ रहे हैं जब उनकी हरी-भरी फसलें कुछ ही दिनों में काले, सड़ते ढेर में बदल जाती हैं। यह विनाश लेट ब्लाइट द्वारा होता है, जो कुख्यात ओमीसाइट फाइटोफ्थोरा इंफेस्टन्स द्वारा उत्प्रेरित बीमारी है। जबकि लक्षण अच्छे से ज्ञात थे, पुनरावर्ती संक्रमण का स्रोत गहन बहस का विषय बना रहा। पश्चिम बंगाल राज्य विश्वविद्यालय (बराकपुर) के वनस्पति विज्ञान विभाग के प्रोफेसर संजय गुहा रॉय द्वारा किए गए एक क्रांतिकारी अध्ययन ने अंततः दोषी को बेनकाब कर दिया है। प्रतिष्ठित जर्नल फाइटोपैथोलॉजी में प्रकाशित—अमेरिकन फाइटोपैथोलॉजिकल सोसाइटी का शताब्दी पुराना प्रमुख प्रकाशन—यह शोध बीमारियों के प्राथमिक भंडार के रूप में आलू के बीजों की पहचान करता है। विशेष रूप से, अध्ययन में यह खुलासा किया गया है कि यहां तक कि “उच्...
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