Commercial Potato Farming in Dadeldhura boosts income

The National Agriculture Modernization Program (NAMP), through its Potato Super Zone unit in Dadeldhura, has successfully transitioned local farmers from traditional subsistence crops to high-yield commercial potato production. By providing specialized training, certified seeds, and technical assistance, the program has transformed the agricultural landscape of Parshuram Municipality.

Following the government’s mandate to use only certified (tagged) seeds, farmers in the Inner Terai region have shifted their focus toward seed production rather than just table potatoes. This change has secured better market access and higher profits, as certified seeds typically command double the market price of regular potatoes.

The Lati Nath Agriculture and Livestock Farmers Group, established in 2021 with 18 members, currently manages 75 ropanis of potato cultivation. Group Chairman Surendra Bahadur Bohara reported that for every quintal of seed planted, the yield averages between 10 to 12 quintals. Similarly, another local group led by Kavita Bohara has expanded its operations to plant 400 quintals of seed this year, noting that the returns significantly exceed those of traditional wheat farming.

Individual success stories mirror this collective growth. Farmer Keshav Raj Awasthi, who has been farming potatoes for a decade, now earns over 400,000 rupees annually. Another resident, Man Bahadur Bhandari, aims to increase his annual production value to one million rupees with the help of new cold storage facilities and improved sales networks supported by the Super Zone project.

According to Pitambar Basnet, Chief of the Project Implementation Unit in Dadeldhura, the district currently has 122 hectares dedicated to potato farming across both winter and summer seasons. Because Dadeldhura’s certified seeds are in high demand across Sudurpashchim and other provinces, the government continues to prioritize pest management and quality certification to maintain a competitive edge in the national market.