Farmers in Rohtas district are being encouraged to cultivate 'Lady Rosetta' potatoes, a variety highly suitable for making chips and wafers. Under a state-sponsored potato area expansion program, applications have been invited for cultivating this variety across 25 hectares. According to the Horticulture Department, a cluster covering 25 hectares will be established in Kuchila Panchayat of Kochas block.

Selected farmers under this scheme will receive a subsidy of up to 75% of the cultivation cost, provided in two installments, along with tissue culture-derived foundation seeds. Both land-owning (raiyat) and non-land-owning (गैर-रैयत) registered farmers can benefit from this scheme, subject to specified conditions. The subsidy will be applicable for cultivation ranging from a minimum of 0.25 acres to a maximum of five acres per farmer.

Lady Rosetta potatoes are primarily used for making chips and wafers due to their red skin, white flesh, and low sugar content, making them ideal for food processing. This crop typically matures in 70 to 90 days and can yield an average of 200 to 300 quintals per hectare under favorable conditions.

The optimal sowing time for Lady Rosetta potatoes during the Rabi season is from the last week of October to the second week of November, requiring approximately 30 quintals of seeds per hectare. This initiative by the department is expected to boost processing-based potato cultivation in the district and open up new income opportunities for farmers. District Horticulture Officer Jitendra Kumar stated that applications have been received for approximately 25 hectares, and eligible farmers will be selected to receive seed and input subsidies.