Giant Agro Processing Limited to produce virus-free potato seeds for Bangladesh

Giant Agro Processing Limited plans to produce some 1000 tonnes of virus- free potato seeds this year, which include breeder seeds, foundation-grade seeds and mini tubers, a top official said.

The company set out with a mission to supply virus-free potato seeds to farmers so that they could get higher yields at an affordable price.

"Our laboratory has proved that it can effectively produce initial pre-basic seed in the form of mini tubers," said Feroz Hassan, managing director of Giant Agro Processing Limited (GAPL)

He also said, they have successfully employed the bio-technological approach, meristem culture, to produce virus-free potato seeds.

"There is a severe shortage of disease-free potato seeds. Micro propagation can play an important role in maintaining and multiplying commercial cultivation under disease-free conditions," added Hassan.