Palaniswami urges Centre to reconsider closure of Potato Research Station in Ooty

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the closure of the Central Potato Research Station (CPRS) in Ooty will have a detrimental impact on potato farmers.

In a letter to Modi, Palaniswami referred to reports that the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had decided to close down the CPRS.

"If this research station is closed, farmers of Tamil Nadu and other southern states of India have to depend on the Potato Research Station at Jalandhar, Punjab, which is located far away, to access disease-free planting materials, which in turn will increase the cost of cultivation. Moreover, the varieties of North India are not suitable for Southern Hills," Palaniswami added.

(With inputs from agencies.)