Organic potatoes become reliable income source for Bhojpur farmers

KATHMANDU: Organic potatoes produced in Bhojpur have become a major source of income for local farmers.

Once limited to household consumption, the crop is now being exported to markets outside the district, thanks to improved road connectivity.

Traders now drive directly to farmers’ homes to purchase potatoes, making sales easier and more profitable.

With the expansion of road networks, organic potatoes have become a dependable income source for farmers in Temkemaiyung-5, Majhauli, said local farmer Shiv Kumar Bista.

“In the past, it was difficult to send organic potatoes to other cities. Sometimes, we even had to barter potatoes for rice. But now, with road access, we can sell directly from home,” Bista explained.

According to farmers, this year potatoes have been selling for Rs 40–45 per kilogram from the villages. The organically grown produce from the highlands is in high demand in the market, said local farmer Ram Bahadur Bista.

“Majhauli and Cholanti villages specialize in organic potato farming. Almost every household here grows potatoes. Since our potatoes are organic, they fetch good demand in the market,” he added.

Farmers in Majhauli produce between 700 kilograms and 7,000 kilograms of potatoes each season.

Over 85 households in the area are engaged in commercial farming, cultivating varieties such as Bhotange Pankhade, Dharane, and Sailung.

According to the Agriculture Knowledge Center, Bhojpur district produced 51,900 metric tons of potatoes last year in both winter and monsoon seasons, across 3,272 hectares of farmland.