On July 17, 2025, International Rice Research Institute – South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) and the International Potato Center (CIP) jointly organized a multi-stakeholder consultation in Varanasi today to evaluate and promote a prototype innovation enabling Potato Zero Tillage with Rice Straw Mulch (PZTM). This cutting-edge conservation agriculture technique is aimed at transforming rice–potato cropping systems into more sustainable, climate-resilient, and resource-efficient models.
The consultation brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, representatives from CGIAR centers, private agri-tech firms, food processing companies, university researchers, and farmer leaders. The centerpiece of the discussion was a novel combine harvester prototype integrated with a zero-till potato planter. This innovation allows simultaneous rice residue management and potato planting in a single mechanized operation.
This joint effort highlights the urgent need for system-oriented mechanization solutions that address the challenges of crop diversification, climate-smart intensification, circular residue use, and inclusive innovation tailored for smallholder farmers.
PZTM model allows potatoes to be planted directly into rice stubble, using leftover straw as natural mulch. This approach eliminates intensive tillage and offers multiple benefits: improved soil health, enhanced moisture retention, reduced irrigation and fertilizer needs, and lower labor costs.
However, the increasing mechanization of rice harvesting poses challenges for traditional potato planting, as loose straw and surface stubble can obstruct standard techniques. The proposed prototype addresses this by synchronizing harvesting and planting in a timely, efficient, and scalable manner.
Uttar Pradesh, India’s largest potato-producing state and a leading rice grower, has emerged as a strategic location for piloting the PZTM model. Representing the Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttar Pradesh, B.L. Meena, Additional Chief Secretary – Horticulture, stressed the importance of convergence and scalability, expressing keen interest in supporting the initiative through ongoing horticulture and mechanization schemes.
Under the OneCGIAR framework, IRRI and CIP are working together to co-develop solutions that meet smallholder needs across diverse agro-climatic zones.
“We are delighted to have the South Asia Regional Centre of CIP here in Uttar Pradesh. It creates opportunities for more synergistic efforts to benefit our agrisystems,” said Dr. Sudhanshu Singh, Director of ISARC. “This participatory stakeholder consultation is unique, it’s a collaborative review of machinery that, once deployed, could revolutionize rice–potato systems in Eastern India by ensuring timely planting, reducing turnaround time, and conserving resources.”
Dr. Neeraj Sharma, Country Head of CIP, highlighted the pivotal role of women in potato cultivation and the growing need for mechanization to enhance efficiency and ensure timely operations. He pointed out the regional disparities in mechanization, from advanced systems in Punjab to emerging models in Bihar, and emphasized the importance of engaging farm machinery manufacturers.
Dr. Sharma also called for a greater focus on soil fertility management, sustainable resource use, and practical alternatives to crop residue burning. He underscored that scaling up sustainable potato production in India will require coordinated efforts across public, private, and research sectors.
This initiative builds on the collaborative experience of IRRI and CIP under the APART project in Assam, where the introduction of zero-tillage potato cultivation after rice led to notable environmental and productivity gains for smallholder farmers.
The consultation included participation from key industry and research stakeholders, such as PepsiCo, McCain, agri-machinery developers Yanmar and Khalsa, researchers from Punjab University, and farmers from rice–potato growing states. Discussions focused on the prototype design, its practical feasibility, agroecological considerations, and the roadmap for validation and deployment.
State-wise breakout sessions were conducted to assess current mechanization practices and to identify priority districts for piloting the PZTM approach in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, West Bengal, and Punjab. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of gender inclusion, addressing labor shortages, and building capacity at the grassroots level.
The meeting concluded with consensus on a comprehensive action plan:
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Refining the prototype based on field-level feedback
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Selecting pilot districts across Eastern and Northern India
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Co-developing a field-testing roadmap with public, private, and research partners
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Exploring integration with public funding mechanisms under schemes such as MIDH, RKVY, and state horticulture programs
The prototype is expected to undergo field validation in the upcoming Rabi season. IRRI and CIP will jointly coordinate its implementation, data collection, and stakeholder engagement. A collaborative roadmap is also being developed to align efforts with national and state priorities, encourage private sector participation, and promote farmer-led scaling of the innovation.
