Disease-free seed production underway at Domar BADC
Nilphamari Correspondent :
Domar Farm was established in 1957-58 under the supervision of the then Department of Agriculture. In 1989-90 the farm included potato seed division as it was considered more suitable for potato seed production. The project is now existed on 514.48 acres.
Seed potato cultivation is being done on about 411 acres of land in Domar Upazila of Nilphamari district. Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) authorities said that all potatoes produced in the farm will be collected as seeds.
BADC authorities said that all potatoes produced in the farm will be collected as seeds. The farm has been producing more potatoes than the target since last few years. However, Abu Taleb Mia, the deputy director of the farm who has the most contribution behind this success, said other officials-employees. They believe that this success is coming from his daily inspection of potato plots and close observation.
According to Domar BADC sources, in the current season 2023-24, 15 lakh 58 thousand 665 seedlings have been produced from the plantlets of Asteric, Sunshine, Santana, Cardinal, Mudico, Courage, Granola, Atato, Bari Alu-62, Diamond and other 26 varieties of potatoes. Saplings have been planted in 22.27 acres of land and mini tuber to pre-foundation in 176 acres and pre-foundation to 78.44 acres of land. Besides, potatoes have been cultivated on 122.11 acres of land from imported basic seeds.
Assistant Deputy Director Subrata Majumder said, the minitubes (seedlings) produced through plantlets from different varieties of potatoes are virus free and resistant to diseases. All potatoes produced on the farm will be collected as foundation seed. Planting of potato seeds by modern mechanized potato planters, lifting of potatoes by diggers, grading of seed potatoes by grader machines and storage in own cold storage.
Abu Taleb Mia, deputy director of Domar seed potato production farm, said that if the weather is favorable, it is expected to produce more potatoes than the target.
The efforts of all the farmers are producing more crops including potatoes according to the target and the produced seeds will play a helpful role in filling the shortage of seed supply in the potato production of the country’s farmers.
BADC authorities will collect and store A-grade (25-40 mm) and B-grade (41-55 mm) size seed potatoes at the price fixed by the government which will be supplied to common potato growers at fair price through seed dealers in the next season.
