Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that Haryana, already a leading state in agriculture and horticulture, is now moving towards becoming a national hub for the production of high-quality certified seed potatoes. He was addressing a state-level workshop organized by the Horticulture Department on the Haryana Tissue Culture-Based Seed Potato Act, 2026, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Mission, and Haryana Horticulture Policy as the Chief Guest on Friday.
On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Head of Horticulture Directorate of Horticulture, Sh. Arjun Saini, along with other senior officials, scientists, representatives of the industry, FPO members, progressive farmers, and seed potato producers were present.
Sh. Shyam Singh Rana said that the proposed Haryana Tissue Culture-Based Seed Potato Act, 2026 will promote the production of disease-free, high-quality, and traceable seed potatoes in the state, which will ensure better prices for farmers as well as access to new markets. He emphasized that the demand for quality seed potatoes is continuously increasing across the country, but its availability is still limited.
The objective of the proposed Act is to establish a scientific system for seed potato production using tissue culture, aeroponics, and other modern technologies, thereby creating new opportunities for farmers in certified seed production and marketing. During the workshop, officials and experts informed that potato cultivation is carried out on approximately 33,000 hectares in Haryana, and the state has immense potential for seed potato production.
After implementation of the proposed Act, the state may develop a capacity to produce around 10 lakh quintals of certified seed potatoes in the initial years. This will not only meet the state’s own requirements but also enable supply of quality seeds to other states.
Detailed discussions were also held on the FPO Mission. Experts explained that FPOs play an important role in increasing farmers’ income by providing facilities such as collective marketing, processing, storage, and value addition. The state government is supporting FPOs through various schemes to strengthen them and integrate them with agribusiness.
In addition, information was shared on the incentives and facilities provided to farmers under the Haryana Horticulture Policy for promoting modern horticulture, protected cultivation, high-value crops, and export-oriented production. During the workshop, scientists, industry representatives, FPO members, and progressive farmers shared their suggestions and views on the proposed Act.
The department assured that all suggestions would be seriously considered to make the Act more effective and farmer-friendly.