Technology, research key to become self-reliant in potato

Kathmandu, May 31

Stakeholders have pointed at the need to expand research, technology transfer and farming know-how and create sustainable value chain to make the country self-sufficient in potato production.

Speaking at the Second Potato Summit 2025 organised in Kathmandu on Friday, they stated that Nepal should reap benefits from the research for the varieties with high productivity potential and disease as well as climate change resistance is going on across the globe.

Varieties that can cope with the climate change scenario, survive in waterlogged situation and poor water availability are also being developed in India and China.

Potato is one of the primary agricultural and food commodities in Nepal and elsewhere with high demand for domestic as well as industrial uses. With the growing demand for chips, fries and many other varieties of industrial productions, demand for potatoes has also increased.   

The Summit, jointly organised by the Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), aimed at enhancing seed value chain efficiency, optimising potato value chain, promoting potato processing and value addition and facilitating private sector engagement. 

Yubaraj Bhusal, Senior Potato Scientist, said that Nepal should focus on the research of variety of potatoes while informing that the NARC has developed 15 varieties, of which five have been registered. "Those new varieties of potatoes are drought- and disease-tolerant and have high production potential," he said.

Likewise, Santosh Dahal of Ficus Biotech suggested the policymakers and stakeholders to start planning or developing policies and new technologies such as aeroponics and hydroponics. "We need research facilitation, policy support and technology transfer to develop this sector," he recommended.

Ken Shimizu, FAO country representative for Nepal and Bhutan, stressed on better seed management system and coping with the climate change impacts.

He also suggested economic zoning and modeling, contract farming, cold storage facility and encouragement to farmers from the government for better production of potato.

Nepal has taken potato seriously from the perspectives of food security and nutrition. Its production is prioritised by the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project (PMAMP) while research and infrastructure has also been promoted, said Agriculture Secretary Govinda Prasad Sharma.   

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari said that productivity of potato should be increased with the application of modern seeds, technology and farming style.

We have preserved some local varieties of potatoes. "Two super zones and 17 zones are being promoted for potato production under the PMAMP. Indigenous potato farming and production is promoted in eastern hill districts," said Minister Adhikari.

He pointed to the need for quality cold storage facilities to support farmers as well as the industries to preserve the produce throughout the year and maintain steady supply in the market. However, the government could not clear the dues generated by the subsidy programmes to the cold storages.

Potato is a crop of family's self-reliance on food and about 90 per cent of the demand in Nepal is met by domestic production.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 1 June 2025.