New Delhi, Oct. 29 -- India, the world's second-largest potato producer after China, is witnessing a quiet but crucial shift in how potatoes are grown. Scientists and agri-tech firms are increasingly using aeroponics, a soilless technique that helps produce high-yielding, disease- and climate-resistant potato seeds faster than ever before.

"The main motive is to ensure faster multiplication of quality seeds and to ensure farmers should have access to high yielding varieties, disease and climate resistant seeds," said Brajesh Singh, director, ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.

Mint explains how this new farming technology works, why adoption is rising now, and what it means for the country's potato farmers, production...