Potato cultivation in Nepal spans a wide range of agro-ecological zones, from the lowland Terai plains to high-altitude Himalayan regions reaching up to 4,000 meters above sea level. Key potato-growing regions include the Terai districts such as Parwanipur (Bara), Chitwan, and Jhapa—where potatoes serve as a major cereal-substitute crop—along with the mid-hills around Lalitpur and Pokhara, and high-hill districts like Jumla, Dolakha, and Ilam, where the crop is vital for food security and resilient livelihoods.
The high hills, situated between 1,800 and 3,000 meters, offer optimal conditions for seed potato production due to cooler climates that reduce viral degeneration and allow for better tuber storage. Nepal’s staggered cropping calendar enables sequential planting and harvesting, with Terai and low-hill regions planting from September to December and high-hill harvesting occurring between July and September.
A wide range of improved and locally adapted potato varieties are cultivated to match the country’s diverse climatic zones. Prominent varieties include Janakdev, Cardinal, Kufri Jyoti, Khumal Seto-1, Khumal Rato-2, and Khumal Laxmi, delivering yields between 20–40 t/ha and offering disease resistance and short dormancy suited for multiple cropping cycles. High-hill adapted clones such as CIP 393280.64 and CIP 389746.2 have shown superior performance and farmer acceptance, while newer clones like CIP 395112.32 and PRP 266265.15 have demonstrated yields up to 42 t/ha in Terai trials.
The National Potato Development Program (NPDP), under the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC), plays a central role in varietal development, seed multiplication, and the dissemination of advanced cultivation technologies. The Nepal Potato Research Program (NPRP) at Khumaltar houses a tissue culture lab for virus-free seed production and collaborates with the International Potato Center (CIP) for germplasm improvement. Community-Based Seed Producer Groups (CBSPs) and Agricultural Knowledge Centers promote the use of quality seed and best practices, especially in eastern hill regions like Ilam.
Optimal potato growth in Nepal is supported by well-drained sandy loam soils with pH 5.0–7.0 and cool-season conditions, with standard agronomic practices including seed treatment, row spacing of 60–70 cm, and proper earthing-up to support healthy tuber formation.
Potato cultivation in Nepal dates back to 1793, when British botanist Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker first recorded the crop in the high Himalayan regions. Initially considered a minor crop, potatoes gradually gained importance throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, particularly in the mid-hills and high-altitude areas where the cool climate favors both production and seed quality.
A major institutional milestone occurred in 1962 with the launch of Nepal’s first official potato improvement efforts in collaboration with India, culminating in the establishment of the National Potato Development Program (NPDP) in 1972 under the Department of Agriculture. This initiative, later integrated into the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC) as the National Potato Research Program, led to the establishment of key research farms in Ilam, Sindhupalchowk, and eventually Khumaltar.
In 1989, with support from the Swiss government, a tissue culture laboratory was established at Khumaltar to produce virus-free pre-basic seed potatoes, forming the foundation of Nepal’s modern seed system. The government's continued commitment to potato sector development was underscored by the hosting of the second National Potato Summit in 2025, focusing on strengthening seed systems, cold storage, processing infrastructure, and value chain development.
Agricultural Statistics for nepal
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Consumption Statistics Nepal
Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2021: | 90.18 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2021: | 0.02 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2020: | 90.15 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2020: | 0.02 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2019: | 87.20 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |
Sweet Potatoes , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2019: | 0.00 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Sweet Potatoes |
Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) , Consumption (Crop Equivalent) in 2018: | 84.82 | kg/capita/year | ℹ | Potatoes (Fresh and Processed) |