Scores of farmers in Khorpokhara, Bihadi rural municipality, Parbat, are busy working their fields.

Some dig up potatoes, while others remove potato leaves and do "haulm pulling"—a practice that helps store potatoes for a longer time.

Around 19 farmers affiliated with the Shivaji Khola Farmers' Group have cultivated potatoes on 50 ropanis of land. They aim to earn around Rs100,000 each selling the vegetable.

The "Janakdev" variety of potatoes is currently being harvested. The farmers of Khorpokhara, who planted these potatoes in November, hope to harvest 30 tonnes for the first time.

According to the farmers, they can sell the potatoes directly from the field at Rs50 per kilogram.

Khagendra Prasad Tiwari, secretary for the farmers' group, said that the output has met their target, requiring storage facilities.

The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Parbat has encouraged individual potato farmers to work collectively.

“We grow enough potatoes for the household, but our goal is to work in a group and focus on commercial farming,” Tiwari said, sharing a prosperity plan for the entire rural municipality.

Other farmers in Khorpokhara are also impressed by their efforts.

Megh Nath Bhusal, the group's chairperson, said farmers who are not yet members are requesting to form a new group and start potato farming next year.

Resident Naina Kafle shared that even with minimal effort, each household has earned around Rs100,000 from potato farming. Inspired by this success, every farmer plans to double their production next year.

“I’ve already harvested two muri [estimated 1.4 quintals] of potatoes from my home garden, with a half yet to harvest,” she said. “Selling the group’s potatoes will also bring in a good income.”

She added that even young people who previously went abroad for work are planning to return to start potato farming.

Previously, large fields were left fallow in winter, with only a few patches planted with mustard and wheat. But now, after realising the profit potential of potatoes, the farmers are eager to cultivate more.

The Shivaji Khola Farmers’ Group has also planted a separate experimental variety of "Segita" potatoes.

The Agriculture Knowledge Centre has encouraged farmers to grow Segita potatoes for seeds this year.

The potatoes were planted in collaboration with the Srijansheel Farmers’ Group in Ward 1, the Aatmanirbhar Krishna Farmers’ Group in Ward 4, and the Shivaji Khola Farmers’ Group in Ward 5 of Bihadi Rural Municipality.

Of the 3,000 kg of Segita potatoes planted, all the produce will be saved for seeds for next year.

According to Rishi Ram Bhusal, head of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) School and agricultural technician, Butwal-based First Choice Company has assured the farmers of buying all their potatoes, motivating them to grow more seed potatoes.

Recently, Parbat has been increasing potato cultivation to establish itself as a pocket area for the crop.

Parshuram Adhikari, head of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, said 61 farmers' groups are cultivating potatoes on 1,300 hectares of land this year. The goal is to produce 26,000 tonnes of potatoes for sale.

“We have provided farmers with a 70 percent subsidy on seeds and a 50 percent subsidy on technology,” Adhikari said. “For irrigation, we’ve offered 70 percent financial support.”

The centre has invested Rs20 million in Parbat to increase potato production. If the output goes as planned, potatoes worth over Rs1 billion will be grown, bringing substantial profits to the farmers.

Agricultural technician Bhusal said that traders from Butwal and Syangja have already shown interest in buying the potatoes, guaranteeing the market.

“If there’s a large harvest, there won’t be any problems with the market,” Bhusal said. “Farmers are also set to get fair prices.”

To reward this success, Parbat Rural Municipality chief Prabin Gurung has also pledged support for farmers.