Kavre Potato Farmers Struggle as Prices Plummet Despite High Demand

Kavre. Farmers in Panchkhal, Kavre, are currently overwhelmed with harvesting potatoes. Traders and consumers are arriving directly at the fields to purchase the potatoes. If bought directly from the fields, potatoes are available for 12-15 rupees per kilogram.

Farmers, however, are worried because the potatoes are not fetching a good price. Due to the significant drop in potato prices, farmers are barely covering their production costs. The farmers themselves are unaware of why the potatoes are not fetching a better price. They report that it has been a long time since the potato price dropped this much.

According to the farmers, last year potatoes were sold for up to 25 rupees per kilogram. This year, the price has fallen to as low as 12 rupees. The farmers state that the government must set a minimum price that does not harm the farmers or the government itself should purchase the produce.

They say, 'We are not getting the price, yet consumers have to buy at high prices. The newly forming government should pay attention to this matter.' Photo: Bijen Amatya/Nepal Photo Library