Raithane potatoes being conserved in Tarakhola

Arjun Chokhal, a hotelier, says that after consumers stopped liking potatoes from the Terai, rural potatoes found a market. As the demand of the market has also increased, an initiative has been taken to increase the production. Consumers from neighboring districts including Baglung also searched for potatoes from Tarakhola and Dhorpatan. Gopal Kandel, a wholesaler, said that since it is organic, Tarakhola's potato is preferred by everyone.

Tarakhola farmers do not use chemical fertilizers. Since it is organic, it is easily sold in the market as it is delicious to eat. Because of everyone's interest and being organic, Agricultural Knowledge Center Baglung has done the promotion of Raithane potato in Tarakhola. Raithane potato promotion program was created as there is no adulteration in the potatoes here, said Kumar Pun, horticulture development officer of Krishi Gyan Kendra Baglung.

'We haven't even recommended chemical fertilizers here yet,' he said, 'There is a market for organic potatoes.' He said. A minimum of 500 hectares of land has been selected for that. The center has also supported the marketing of Raithane potato by promoting it.

According to Tarakhola Agriculture Branch, 700 tons of potatoes were grown here last year. Gopal Kandel, a local wholesaler, said that the potatoes were easily sold in the markets of Pokhara, Butwal and Baglung. "They come to search for potatoes after they tell us about them," he said, "we send a car and buy potatoes according to the demand." He said that no other potatoes will be sold in the market until Tarakhola's potatoes are finished.

Gyan Kendra has been giving a subsidy of Rs 2 per kg to farmers after production. Even now, chemical fertilizers are not used in Tarakhola Rural Municipality. Pun said that the quality of potatoes was very good when compost was used. Dilkumari Pun of Tarakhola Rural Municipality said that since the potato market is easily available, the farmers increase their production every year. Tarakhole potatoes are used for feeding the homestay guests and also for sending koseli.

Tarakhola has also signed a partnership agreement with Bandipur of Tanahun and Dhurkot Rural Municipality of Gulmi to exchange experience in development and production. Jit Bahadur Sunar, information officer of the rural municipality, said that this meeting has been very successful in sharing experiences, finding partner organizations in development and utilizing resources. A store has also been built here for potato storage.

Gamila Roka of Ward-4 said that a house made from local resources can store up to 4 tons of potatoes. Apart from that in Tarakhola, bodi, beans, Rajma, mushroom, crab, radish, timur, pepper, sisno powder, jimbu, barley and marsi rice are the products of Tarakhola.