January 29: As per the data published by the National Center for Potato, Vegetable and Spice Crop Development, Nepal needs about 350,000 metric tons of potatoes to be self-sufficient in potato production. According to the center, Nepal can become self-sufficient in potatoes if it can increase its production by 342,000 metric tons a year.

The center, informed that 3,325,231 metric tons of potatoes are produced annually in 198,700 hectares of land in Nepal while the market demand is 3,667,256 tons. Looking at the figures, 342,000 tons is insufficient for Nepal, which is imported from countries including India.

According to the head of the center Basudev Kafle, the productivity of potatoes is now 16.05 metric tons per hectare. The cultivation area should be expanded by 20,400 hectares with an increase in the current state of productivity to 18.44 metric tons per hectare to become self sufficient.

Potato, which is convenient for growing in all geographical terrains and all seasons, contributes 5.96 percent to the gross domestic production. Annual per capita potato consumption in Nepal is 111.8 kg. According to the centre, 18% of potatoes are produced in the highlands, 42% in the mid-hills and 40% in the Terai. According to the government data, the maximum 30 percent of potato is produced in Province 1 and the lowest 7 percent in Karnali Province.

In terms of productivity, Nepal's potato productivity is only one place ahead of Bhutan, which is at the bottom in South Asia. Potato productivity in Bhutan is 11.02 metric tons per hectare. Pakistan has the highest productivity of 22.52 metric tons per hectare in South Asia.

Bijaya Kumar Giri, office chief of the National Potato, Vegetable and Spice Crops Development Center, Nigale, informed that the government recently conducted a potato seed self-sufficiency program to become self-sufficient in potato seeds. He said that since the fiscal year 2073/74, four private companies established new tissue culture and screen houses in different parts of the country. Seed potato program is launched in 40 districts covering all the geographical areas from Terai to high mountains. In addition to this, in the current fiscal year, Rs 147.8 million has been allocated for 97 local levels for potato promotion and Rs 33.34 million in 22 local levels for potato seed promotion program.