Participants attending the Second Potato Summit held in Kathmandu. (Photo: NICCI)
The Second Potato Summit 2025, organized by the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and the FAO, concluded at Hotel Yak & Yeti recently. The summit focused on strengthening Nepal’s potato sector through improved seed systems, market access, and private-sector investment.
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ram Nath Adhikari, inaugurated the event, reaffirming the government’s commitment to supporting potato farmers. Speaking at the event, Adhikari said, "We have established 16 Potato Zones and two Super Zones to boost productivity, but we must now focus on identifying high-quality seeds to enhance commercial value."
Ms. Kusum Devi Thapa, chairperson of the Agriculture Committee, Federal Parliament, stressed the need for value addition through processing. "Investing in potato processing can open new domestic and international markets, benefiting farmers and the economy," she added.
Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma, secretary of MoALD, shared that several recommendations from the first summit had been implemented, including prioritizing highland potato production with FAO’s support. Meanwhile, Ken Shimizu, FAO Representative, highlighted the Hand-in-Hand Initiative, which targets highland potato as a key commodity for rural development.
Experts, including SP Singh from Technico Agriscience Ltd., discussed India’s success in potato exports and urged Nepal to adopt similar innovations. The summit also emphasized cold storage expansion, crop insurance, and financial support for farmers.
The event concluded with calls for stronger public-private partnerships to drive Nepal’s potato industry forward.
"Accessible credit and modern farming technology are crucial for Nepal’s potato sector growth," said Ravi Kumar Rayavaram, NICCI Vice President.
The summit brought together policymakers, farmers, and industry leaders to chart a sustainable future for Nepal’s potato value chain.
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