Certified Seed Potato Production Expands in Irkutsk Region

The Irkutsk region is seeing systematic growth in the production of virus-free seed potato material, aimed at combating the “degeneration” of potatoes — a process in which a variety loses its valuable qualities after just 7–8 years of traditional cultivation. As of April 2026, the region has recorded substantial volumes of elite planting material: 33,207 thousand base in vitro clones (grown under sterile laboratory conditions) and 172,677 thousand micro- and mini-tubers. The planned potato planting area for 2026 is 4,100 hectares, reflecting the region’s commitment to securing a reliable supply of healthy seed stock.

Microclonal propagation in the region is carried out by several key organizations, including the Irkutsk branch of Rosselkhoztsentr (operating since 2014), Irkutsk State Agrarian University named after A.A. Yezhevsky, and the private farm “IP Kichigin L.P.,” which has launched its own laboratory to supply itself with healthy seeds. Among the varieties most in demand among local farmers, Prime, Gala, Iyo Alouette lead the way. The Alaska variety is also cultivated on farms such as Kichigin’s for variety trials and propagation — a notable detail given its genetic resistance to late blight and other diseases, which makes it a strong candidate for eco-oriented production systems.