Bhubaneswar, 16 September (H.S.): The Department of Agriculture of the Central University of Odisha (CUO), in collaboration with the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru, organised a Potato Innovation and Technology Demonstration Programme at the university campus in Sunabeda, Koraput, focusing on advanced potato seed production technologies, protected cultivation, research collaboration and capacity building.

CUO Vice-Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) Ajit Kumar Shasany inaugurated the polyhouse and net-house facilities established under the potato project for the production of potato cuttings and rooted cuttings under protected cultivation.

University Dean Prof. Narasingha Charan Panda and senior scientists from CIP, including Global Scientist Dr. Kalpana Sharma, Dr. Elly Atieno and Dr. Nabakishore Parida, attended the programme.

The programme began with a welcome address by Dr. Manjushree Singh, Head of the Department of Agriculture, CUO. She highlighted the department’s efforts to promote innovative, technology-driven and field-oriented agricultural research.

The technical sessions focused on advanced potato seed production techniques, particularly aeroponics and apical root cutting. Experts discussed the potential of these technologies for producing quality planting material and developing sustainable potato production systems suited to the agro-ecological conditions of Koraput and adjoining regions.

Dr. Kalpana Sharma highlighted the scope for strengthening academic and research collaboration between CUO and CIP. She suggested involving Agriculture Department students in ongoing CIP research projects to provide them with practical exposure to modern potato technologies and international research practices.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shasany stressed the need to strengthen institutional collaboration between CUO and CIP. He proposed initiating the process for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate joint research, student training, technology demonstrations and capacity-building programmes.

Dr. Elly Atieno and Dr. Nabakishore Parida shared their experiences of their four-month engagement with the Department of Agriculture and appreciated the department’s active participation, scientific interest and commitment to agricultural innovation and field-oriented research.

As part of the programme, the visiting CIP scientists, university authorities, faculty members and students visited the polyhouse and net-house facilities, where potato cutting and rooted cutting production under protected cultivation was demonstrated.

The programme marked a step towards promoting innovative potato production technologies, strengthening research collaboration and creating opportunities for technology transfer and capacity building in the Koraput region.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda