Aeroponics Changes How Potatoes are Grown in Haryana, India

Key Highlight

North India’s first aeroponic potato lab is set up in Karnal.
Potatoes are grown without soil using mist-fed roots.
The method helps produce clean and healthy seed.
Farmers earn more by selling seed grown through this method.

Potato farming in Haryana is seeing a clear shift as new methods are being tested and used. In Shamgarh village of Karnal, the Potato Technology Institute has set up North India’s first aeroponic laboratory for potato cultivation. Work on this method began four years ago and is now showing consistent results.

Potatoes grown without soil

At the Potato Technology Institute, potatoes are grown without soil. Instead of planting in fields, plants are suspended while their roots receive water through fine mist. Manoj Bhanukar, who heads the institute, said this system allows fast plant growth without direct watering.

He explained that only two or three potato types were tested at first. Over time, the results improved and work is now being done on around seven potato varieties.

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Focus on clean seed production

The main goal of the institute is to provide good-quality seed to farmers. In aeroponic farming, very small seed tubers, known as mini tubers, are produced. These are used for further planting and are known to give better results in the field.

Unlike normal farming, where large potatoes are saved for seed, this method produces small and uniform tubers. Bhanukar said the institute has not seen fungus or major disease since using this method. This allows farmers to receive clean seed that helps improve crop output.

Also read: Aeroponics vs Traditional Potato Farming: Costs, Yields & Benefits

Varieties under testing

The institute is working on both table and processing potato varieties. These include Kufri Chip Sona-1 and Kufri Fry Sona. Other varieties such as Kufri Himalini, Kufri Uday and Kufri Pushkar are also part of ongoing work.

One plant grown through this method can produce up to 35 mini tubers. This is far more than what is usually seen in field-grown crops. Bhanukar said overall output rises by more than 10 percent using this system.

Better income for farmers

Seeds produced at the institute are sold to farmers at Rs 4 per kg. Farmers then grow their own seed and sell it at rates between Rs 35 and Rs 40 per kg. Many farmers from across Haryana visit the institute to buy seed.

The Haryana government, along with the Agriculture Department, is now helping farmers adopt this method. Support is being given to farmers who want to use aeroponics to produce their own seed.

With clean seed, better output and lower disease risk, aeroponic farming is helping farmers in Haryana improve potato production. The method is now moving beyond trials and into wider farm use across the state.