Kanya  Maha  Vidyalaya- the Heritage and Autonomous Institution, Jalandhar’s Post Graduate Department of Botany organized a visit to the Central Potato Research Station, Jalandhar for the  students. The main purpose of this visit was to introduce the students to ICAR and provide them guidance on the vast field of potato research besides introducing new discoveries, prototype development and diverse aspects in various fields so as to open up new opportunities for research and learning for the students.

During this visit Mr. Yogesh Gupta, Assistant Chief Technical Officer introduced CPRS to the  students and gave an overview of scientists working in the field of potato research and processing. He inspired students to try their hand at entrepreneurship in the potato sector and the importance of adding value to potato products. Along with this, Dr. Arvind Jaiswal, Scientist, Food Technologist, CPRS interacted  with the students and explained about the development of prototypes of potato products, their patenting and changes in technology for commercialization and also showcased various innovative products prepared from potatoes and also elaborated on their health benefits. He discussed Potato products as a good example of a gluten free diet. Everyone has eaten potatoes as fries or chips, but Dr. Arvind has developed new products from potato such as potato cookies, anthocyanin rich potato porridge, potato-ragi and corn cake, potato jalebi, gulab jamun, ice cream and muffins etc. Dr. Sugani Devi, Scientist, CPRS informed students about hi-tech potato seed production like:- aeroponics, minituber, soilless culture and seed production under net house. Dr. Ratna Preet Kaur, Scientist, CPRS Explained the genetics and process of plant breeding to the students and discussed in detail about the development, cultivation and growth of various varieties of potato by PTC. She said that the first copy of potato seeds is stored through cryopreservation at CPRI, Shimla and the second copy of potato seeds is stored at CPRS, Jalandhar. Finally, a field visit was also organized in which Dr. Sugani Devi showed the students the process of aeroponics, hydroponics and tray cultivation. Principal Prof. Atima Sharma Dwivedi appreciated the efforts of the Faculty of Botany Department for organizing such a visit for the all-round development of the students.