Nepal's Baglung expands potato farming

Potato farming is growing rapidly across Baglung district of Nepal, as local authorities push to make it a dependable source of income for farmers.

The Agricultural Knowledge Center Baglung has been running programs for the past three years in all 10 local levels of the district. High-altitude areas such as Nisikhola, Tamankhola, Tarakhola, Dhorpatan, Galkot, and Jaimini have shown strong results.

According to Chief Rajeshwor Silwal, the expansion is happening because potatoes are cheap to produce and demand keeps rising. In recent years, millions of rupees have been invested to expand farming areas, upgrade irrigation, improve fertilizer use, and supply high-yield seeds. This year alone, the goal is to add another 43 hectares.

Currently, potatoes are grown on about 3,700 hectares in Baglung, with last year’s harvest reaching over 56,000 metric tons. The crops are supplied to markets in Baglung, Pokhara, Butwal, Chitwan, and other cities — and so far, no imports have been needed this year.

Farmers say yields are improving thanks to better water access and fertilizers. To further support staple crops, the Agricultural Knowledge Center is investing Rs 3.7 million ($26,270 USD) this fiscal year through cooperatives and farmer groups, encouraging each group to cultivate at least one crop across 100 ropanis of land.

source: english.khabarhub.com

photo: hananoie-nepal.com