By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jun 1: Stakeholders at the Second Potato Summit 2025, held in Kathmandu on Friday, underscored the urgency to bolster research, technology transfer, and farming expertise to establish a sustainable value chain for potato production in Nepal. The summit, a collaborative effort by the Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI), the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), aimed to address key aspects of the potato industry, including seed value chain efficiency, value addition, and private sector engagement.
The potato, a staple crop in Nepal, has seen a surge in demand due to its versatility in domestic and industrial applications, particularly with the rising popularity of processed foods like chips and fries. To meet this demand and achieve self-sufficiency, experts at the summit emphasized the need to leverage global research on high-yielding, disease-resistant, and climate-resilient potato varieties.
Yubaraj Bhusal, a Senior Potato Scientist, highlighted Nepal’s progress in potato research, with the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) developing 15 varieties, five of which have been registered. These new varieties exhibit drought and disease tolerance, along with high production potential. Meanwhile, Santosh Dahal of Ficus Biotech advocated for the adoption of advanced technologies like aeroponics and hydroponics, calling for research facilitation, policy support, and technology transfer to propel the sector forward.
Ken Shimizu, FAO country representative for Nepal and Bhutan, stressed the importance of a robust seed management system and strategies to mitigate climate change impacts. He proposed economic zoning, contract farming, cold storage facilities, and government encouragement for farmers to enhance potato production.
Agriculture Secretary Govinda Prasad Sharma noted that potato production is a priority under the Prime Minister Agriculture Modernisation Project (PMAMP), with research and infrastructure development receiving significant attention. Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to increase productivity through modern seeds, technology, and farming practices. He also highlighted the promotion of indigenous potato farming in eastern hill districts and the necessity of quality cold storage facilities to support farmers and industries.
However, the government’s inability to clear subsidy dues to cold storages poses a challenge. Despite this, the potato remains a crucial crop for food self-reliance in Nepal, with domestic production meeting about 90% of the country’s demand.
The implications of this summit are far-reaching. By focusing on research, technology, and sustainable practices, Nepal can not only achieve self-sufficiency in potato production but also tap into the growing global market for processed potato products. This could significantly boost the agricultural sector, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s food security and nutrition goals. The call for policy support and technology transfer also highlights the need for public-private partnerships to drive innovation and growth in this sector.