Sirmaur Farmers Turn Straw Into Gold: Eco-Friendly Potato Farming Takes Root
In Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, farmers are embracing a groundbreaking way to grow potatoes—without ploughing fields or worrying about irrigation. Thanks to research by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Dhaulakuan, potatoes can now be cultivated under layers of straw, offering a sustainable alternative that saves time, money, and the environment.
A Simple, Smart Technique
Instead of the traditional labor-intensive process of ploughing and sowing, farmers simply place seed potatoes on moist soil after paddy harvest, cover them with straw, and wait. Within three months, the crop is ready—no heavy machinery, no chemical fertilizers, and minimal irrigation.
Tested and Proven
KVK scientists tested the method on Kufri Neelkanth and Kufri Khyaati varieties, producing a healthy crop over half a hectare. Encouraged by last year’s success, the centre has now distributed 50 kg of seed potatoes each to 10 farmers, aiming to popularize the technique across the plains of Sirmaur.
Benefits Beyond Farming
- Eco-friendly: Straw, instead of being burned, is used as mulch, reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Cost-saving: Less labor, fewer tractor hours, and only three irrigations compared to the usual 8–10.
- Healthier produce: Kufri Neelkanth potatoes are rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins, beneficial even for diabetic patients.
- Ease of harvest: Since potatoes grow above ground under straw, grading and collection are simple, with no digging required.
A Step Toward Carbon-Neutral Farming
Dr. Pankaj Mittal, Principal Scientist at KVK Sirmaur, explained that this innovation not only benefits farmers but also sends a strong message about carbon-neutral farming. By turning straw into a resource rather than waste, the technique tackles one of agriculture’s biggest environmental challenges.
Farmers’ New Cash Crop
KVK hopes that with wider adoption, potatoes grown under straw will emerge as a cash crop in Sirmaur’s plains, boosting farmer incomes while protecting the environment.
