Pakistan: Forty people trained in aeroponics
A three-day training program on Certified Seed Potato Production, was organized at the National Agricultural Research Center (NARC) in Islamabad from January 7-9, 2025.
The training, focused on the Aeroponic Potato Seed Production System, witnessed the participation of forty individuals, including representatives from seed companies, agricultural extension services, and farmers from across the country.
Addressing the training session, Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali (S.I), Chairman PARC, highlighted the significance of developing aeroponic potato seeds for Pakistan. He said that traditional potato cultivation yields only five tubers per plant, whereas aeroponic systems can produce between 50 to 60 tubers per plant.Despite cultivating potatoes on approximately 850,000 acres, Pakistan remains heavily reliant on the importation of 6,000 to 12,000 tonnes of seed potatoes annually due to the compromised quality of locally produced seeds. This dependency places a financial strain on the country, as farmers struggle to afford high-quality imported seeds, resulting in suboptimal yields.
Dr. Ali also expressed gratitude to the government of the Republic of Korea for its financial and technical contributions to Pakistan’s agricultural sector. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Republic of Korea are collaborating on the production of seed potatoes using aeroponics technology.
Fuente: pakobserver.net
