In the recent past Potato has become the third staple food in Bangladesh. Presently about 5-6 lakh hectares of land are being cultivated in the country. Depending on the seed, soil, irrigation and weather condition per hectare production of potato varies from 12 to 15 M. Tons. Scientists regard seeds being used by the farmers is not disease free, the production of potato fall short by almost 50%. Potato is very much susceptible to viral diseases. Presently 7 to 10 percent out of total demand of potato seeds are met from Govt. and non-Government sources. While the rest portion comes from farmers own production of potatoes.
Having experience in cultivation of seed potato, table potato & their preservation in the cold storages as well as commitment to the society for lifting the rural poor masses from distress, Aman Group came forward with the idea of production & supply of disease free potato seed to the farmers. The objectives were manifold which influenced the decision. The success in the field will bring a drastic change in the seed supply chain, which at the present moment is dependent on import from Holland. Since conceived Laboratory of the Group shall not be enough to supply the demand for seed in the country others
might become interested to undertake the same venture. These endeavors altogether shall reduce the demand gap on foreign dependence and save huge foreign currency needed for import finance. The matter was therefore discussed with the scientists & specialists of Rajshahi University. Thereafter it was decided to establish tissue culture laboratory in the vicinity of Rajshahi City to facilitate the follow-up of the works by the scientists. Aman Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory came in to existence in the year 2004 at Narikelbaria about 5 Km far from Rajshahi city with the objective of supplying disease free potato seeds to the farmer.
It was decided by the Group after discussion with the relevant personalities to produce disease free seeds with minimum generation seeds through meristem culture. This process helps every plant to carry the maximum number of tubers naturally output increases. It has been found that the production of potato increases from 10-15 MT to 20-25 MT per hectare.
By now APTCL has become the biggest tissue culture laboratory in the whole of northern Bangladeshwith the facilities of one Media Preparation Room, Culture Room, Growth Chamber & Washing Room with requisite Store facilities. At present there is one botanist, two-Agriculturist, four-Diploma Agriculturist, two laboratory assistant, one technician, twelve field supervisor and twenty six field worker are available in Aman Tissue Culture Laboratory who are working with different types seeds management continuously. During the year 2009 APTCL has targeted to provide 2500 M. Tons seeds to the farmers
Apart from research activities the APTCL is also involved in some other activities like demonstration program, training to the farmers and providing them logistic support like fertilizer, seeds, technical support, transport, packing materials etc. Farmers were encouraged in 12 locations to participate in demonstration program for acquainting them with the process of cultivation, care, and input arrangement for successful production. After hard work the APTCL has passed steps of breeder, pre-foundation and during the last season supplied foundation 160 MT seeds to the farmers. In face of huge demand for seeds APTCL plans to supply to farmers 1550 MT seeds during plantation for 2008 & 2500 M.T seeds during the plantation period of 2009.
In the near future the APTCL will start work on strawberry, banana, orchids and other crops keeping in view their demand in the field.
Beside this, specialists from different Govt. and non-Government organizations who are involved with seed production have been visiting APTCL & field and providing us necessary advice.