Kathmandu, Nepal – The Second Potato Summit 2025, hosted by the Nepal-India Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NICCI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), concluded successfully at Hotel Yak & Yeti, Kathmandu. The summit brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and agricultural experts to chart a roadmap for strengthening Nepal's potato industry, a vital component in ensuring food security and driving economic growth.
Inauguration Highlights
Honorable Minister Ram Nath Adhikari of Agriculture and Livestock Development inaugurated the summit, emphasizing the government’s commitment to policy reforms and technological investments to bolster the potato sector. Honorable Ms. Kusum Devi Thapa, Chairperson of the Agriculture, Cooperatives, and Natural Resources Committee, underscored the untapped potential of potato processing to diversify products and expand domestic and international market reach.
Dr. Govind Prasad Sharma, Secretary of MoALD, outlined initiatives aimed at enhancing market infrastructure, improving farmer-consumer linkages, and fostering equitable access to potato markets.
Global Insights and International Cooperation
Keynote speaker Mr. Ken Shimizu, FAO Country Representative for Bhutan and Nepal, highlighted the FAO Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiHI) that prioritizes Highland Potato as a critical commodity. He elaborated on the initiative’s focus on inclusive rural development, sustainability, and resilience, aligning with Nepal's goals for food and nutrition security.
Ms. Garima Nautiyal from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu reiterated India’s commitment to knowledge sharing and technical support to improve seed quality and disease management in Nepal. Her insights were complemented by Mr. SP Singh of Technico Agriscience Ltd., who shared India's successes in developing tailored potato varieties and leveraging them for significant production gains.
Private Sector Engagement and Innovation
Mrs. Sunita Nhemhaphuki, CEO of 3S Foundation, expressed gratitude to all stakeholders while reinforcing the importance of private-sector involvement in driving innovation across the potato value chain. She noted that public-private partnerships could unlock new opportunities in processing, storage, and marketing.
Panel Discussions and Key Recommendations
Experts at the summit emphasized adopting high-yield seed varieties, improving cold storage facilities to reduce post-harvest losses, and providing accessible credit for farmers and entrepreneurs. The critical role of local governments in supporting grassroots initiatives was also discussed, with representatives highlighting successful community-based programs that have improved production and marketing outcomes.
The summit advocated for:
Crop Insurance: A safety net against pests, diseases, and climate-related losses.
Financial Support: Strategic loans and investments to foster scalable agribusiness models.
Mechanization: Adoption of modern farming equipment to enhance efficiency.
Efficient Marketing: Streamlining supply chains to ensure fair pricing for producers and consumers.
Towards a Competitive Potato Industry
The discussions concluded with a collective call to action for sustainable investments in potato processing, storage infrastructure, and market development to boost Nepal’s competitiveness in the global potato market. The summit’s outcomes are expected to significantly contribute to Nepal's agricultural and economic transformation, reaffirming the potato’s pivotal role in ensuring food security and driving rural prosperity.
