Punjab Sets October 15 Deadline for Seed Potato Planting, December 31 for Haulm Cutting
Punjab has introduced a fixed schedule for seed potato production in notified seed areas, setting 15 October 2026 as the last date for planting and 31 December 2026 as the latest date for cutting the crop’s green tops (haulms). The schedule is part of the state’s SOP on seed-potato dehaulming and is aimed at maintaining seed health and reducing the risk of virus transmission.
The rule is particularly important for Punjab because seed produced there is supplied to potato-growing regions across India. Growers are also required to monitor aphid populations, with haulm cutting triggered earlier if the specified threshold is reached.
📅 Key Dates for Punjab Seed Potato
| Activity | Deadline / Trigger |
|---|---|
| 🌱 Seed crop planting | By 15 October 2026 |
| 💧 Restrict/stop irrigation | From mid-December |
| 🐜 Aphid monitoring | 20 aphids / 100 leaves → cut haulms |
| ✂️ Latest haulm cutting | 31 December 2026 |
| 👨🌾 Possible extension decision | By 25 December |
| 🥔 Digging after haulm cutting | Around 15 days later |
The schedule applies to notified seed-potato production areas, not ordinary table or processing potato crops.
📌 Why This Is Important
The timing of haulm cutting is closely linked with seed quality and virus management. Aphids can transmit potato viruses, and early removal of the green tops helps reduce the risk of virus movement into developing tubers. PAU also advises healthy seed, appropriate irrigation management and timely dehaulming as part of potato disease management.
For growers, the biggest planning issue is paddy-to-potato transition. Late paddy harvesting can push seed-potato planting beyond the recommended window, leaving less time for tuber development before the mandatory cutting date.
👨🌾 What This Means for PB Stakeholders
Farmers: Seed growers in Punjab need to plan field preparation and paddy harvesting around the 15 October deadline.
Seed Suppliers: The schedule creates a clear production calendar for seed intended for the 2027 potato season.
Traders & Buyers: Planting and haulm-cutting records can provide useful information when assessing the source and production practices of Punjab seed.
Cold Storages: After dehaulming and approximately 15 days of skin setting, the seed potatoes move toward digging, grading and cold storage for the next planting season.
🟢 PB Takeaway
Punjab’s seed-potato calendar puts the focus on timely planting, aphid monitoring and controlled dehaulming. For the wider potato industry, the schedule matters because Punjab seed moves into several potato-growing states. With the 15 October planting deadline approaching, seed growers now have a narrow window to complete field preparation and planting for the coming season.