Local farmers are making preparation to sell potatoes grown in Mude under the brand name of "Mude Potato" from the third week of May. They took the initiative after the government launched a program to subsidize farmers for "packaging" and "tagging".There is high demand for potatoes produced in Mude in Kathmandu Valley.
'Customers in Kathmandu Valley will get "Mude Potato" from the third week of May," Makar Bahadur Tamang, chairman of Small Farmers Agricultural Cooperatives (SFAC), said. 'Initially, we will make the potatoes available in 10kg and 15 kg packs in different marts and supermarkets.'
District Agriculture Office (DAO), Sindhupalchowk has launched "packaging" and "tagging" program in the area through SFAC. Under the program, the government provides Rs 100,000 to farmers to procure bags for packaging purpose.
'We will start collection of potatoes the first week of May,' Tamang said, adding 'The plan is to send potatoes to market right after they are harvested.'
Potatoes produced in Mude as well as nearby areas like Jethal, Lisankhu, Attarpur and Thulo Dhading VDC are popular as Mude potatoes. They are sent to market through different collection centers in Mude.
'The branding initiative will discourage unscrupulous traders of Kathmandu Valley who have been selling potatoes grown elsewhere as Mude potatoes,' Bed Prasad Chaulagain, senior agriculture development officer, said, adding that the initiative will be of great help to local farmers.
Chaulagain also said they were in the process of acquiring a grading machine to grade potatoes. 'We will grade the potatoes manually until the machine arrives,' he told Republica.
Chairman Tamang said potatoes produced in Mude and nearby villages will be collected at a collection center in Sildhunga. 'Packaging and tagging works will be carried out at the center before sending the product to the market,' he added.
The collection center was build with an assistance of Rs 900,000 from DAO three years ago.
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