Farming – a term laden with complexities demands our careful attention and expertise. Despite India’s agricultural abundance, predominantly nurtured by rural communities, we often overlook its nuances. Whether dismissing them as too traditional or deeming them beyond our understanding, we sometimes miss out. However, the recent explosion of interest in a lesser-known farming technique through a viral video has certainly stirred the internet.
Shared by the Instagram page @agrotill, the video features Alen Joseph elucidating a technique promising higher yields and increased farmer income. Featuring the ‘Pomato’ – a fusion of potato and tomato plants achieved through grafting. Joseph explains the process of co-cultivating these two Solanum genus members from the Solanaceae family. Cherry tomatoes flourish on the vine, while white potatoes grow underground from the same plant – one plant yielding two vegetables!
Check the Viral Video Here:
A post shared by Alen Joseph (@agrotill)
Yet, as the video surged in popularity, skeptics emerged, questioning its safety for consumers. “Changing nature and killing us all with this ideas. Leave the plants peacefully,” lamented one user. Another voiced concerns, stating, “By such experiments people are getting diseases.” A third commented, “I mean its difficult for the plant to distribute energy and store it in the potato tubers, so comparatively to normal plant there will be very less production of both potato and tomato, potato will be lesser than tomatoes.”
In defence, advocates of grafting rallied, touting its time-honoured tradition and potential benefits for farmers. “Excellent brother, btw, people who are talking about natural… there is not a single thing in your food (daily food) that is completely natural. All fruits, vegetables, and meats are hybrid. Go to school,” quipped one supporter. Another highlighted, “Reached w audience they dont know the benefits of grafting, also grafting is in practice for near 4000 years.”
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While the long-term consequences of such grafting practices remain a subject of speculation, studies suggest that ‘Pomato’ plants represent a technological leap forward in food production. By maximising crop output per unit of land, they offer a promising solution for efficient cultivation, even in limited spaces like urban balconies.
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