Nawalpur acheiving self-reliance in potatoes

MADHYABINDU (NAWALPARASI), JANUARY 6:  Potato farming in Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East) has expanded by 11 hectares this year. Farmers in the district have increasingly embraced potato cultivation due to its growing appeal and support from agricultural initiatives.

According to Kul Prasad Tiwari, Chief of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Nawalpur, potato farming now covers 3,216 hectares in the district, compared to 3,205 hectares last year. “Last year, the district produced 58,413 metric tons of potatoes. With the increase in farming area, we expect production to rise this year,” he noted. He also emphasized that Nawalparasi has achieved self-sufficiency in potato production, thanks to consistent growth in farming area and output.

The number of commercial potato farmers in the district continues to grow annually. “Nawalparasi (Bardaghat-Susta East) is now self-reliant in potato production,” Tiwari added.

Bishwas Kafle, Information Officer at the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Nawalpur, highlighted the role of the Gandaki Province government’s Community-Level Processing Potato Promotion Programme in the expansion. “This year, 11 hectares were added through this program, which is being implemented across the district,” he said.

Local-level governments, in collaboration with the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, are also running various potato farming promotion programs. “In Madhyabindu and Kawasoti municipalities, as well as Hupsekot rural municipality, we have launched initiatives to further encourage potato farming and boost production,” Kafle stated.

Preliminary estimates indicate a rise in potato production this year, reinforcing the district's position as a hub for sustainable potato farming.