Putalibazaar Municipality in Syangja, Nepal, has launched a "Potato Self-Reliance Program" to promote potato cultivation as a sustainable and profitable agricultural practice. The initiative aims to boost local production and make the municipality self-sufficient in potatoes.
Mayor Tulsiram Regmi stated that the municipality decided to promote potatoes as a cash crop after farmers reported that they were not receiving adequate returns compared to their production costs. "We had launched a campaign to encourage potato farming in the municipality. As the demand increased from the ward level, we are now distributing potato seeds under a subsidy program," he said.
The mayor added that the municipality will also assist farmers in marketing their produce under this program. Potato seeds have been distributed across all 14 wards based on farmer requests. To achieve self-reliance in potato production, the municipality is providing two varieties of seed, Janakdev and Khumal Seto-1. In total, 71,400 kilograms of seeds are being distributed.
Farmers requested 61,400 kilograms of Janakdev seeds and 10,000 kilograms of Khumal Seto-1 seeds. With the local climate and topography suited to potato cultivation, farmers are using these seeds in both field and home garden production. Chief Administrative Officer Dharmaraj Dhungana said that the seeds were purchased at Rs. 58 (US$0.69) per kilogram but are being sold to farmers at Rs. 29 (US$0.35) per kilogram under a 50 per cent subsidy.
Ward No. 3 recorded the highest demand for seeds. The municipality has allocated Rs. 5 million (US$59,500) for the Potato Self-Reliance Campaign in the current fiscal year.
Source: The Rising Nepal
