An increasing number of traders have been going to Jiri to procure potatoes prompted by rising demand in Kathmandu. Most of the farmers here have kept stocks of fresh potatoes in anticipation of buyers with businesses in Kathmandu.
Sita Jirel, a farmer, said that they had been approached by traders who buy potatoes and dispatch them to the Kalimati vegetable market in Kathmandu.
Farmers start collecting and storing potatoes at Varanda from mid-June. Almost every household in Besiswara village have been storing potatoes at their homes. Saila Tamang, a trader who arrived in Jiri to purchase potatoes, said that demand for potatoes from Jiri is so great that they are sold out in no time.
According to Sita, the potatoes produced in Jiri are very tasty probably because of the high altitude. “They cook in a short time and become soft,” she added. Sita has sold 2,000 kg of potatoes so far.
Likewise, another farmer Shova Jirel said that they could have sold all their output but production was lower compared to last year. Both white and red potatoes are produced here.
Red potatoes are considered to be good for mixing with other vegetables. Tamang said that demand for red potatoes was comparatively high. Farmers are selling potatoes at Rs 22 per kg. However, they are unaware of its price in Kathmandu.
Tamang said that they take potatoes from Jiri to sell them at the wholesale market in Kathmandu. Around 100 tons of potatoes were sold outside Jiri during the two month period of June-July.
District Agriculture Office chief Yubaraj Pandey said that potato production had decreased due to the late arrival of the monsoon this year.
“Mid-May is the time when potatoes are formed in the roots. So rainfall is expected during this period. Since, there was no rain, production fell,” he said. Farmers from other places like Shailung, Gairimudi and Kalinchok have also complained that they couldn’t produce potatoes adequately this time.