KASKI: The National Potato Festival kicked off Sunday in Hemja, Pokhara Metropolitan City-25—one of Kaski district’s key potato-producing areas. The event, organized by the Bishnu Paduka Club, will run through April 16.
Club chairman Basanta Shrestha said the festival aims to promote local potato and vegetable production, boost publicity, and position Hemja as a hub for agri-tourism and commercial farming.
Renowned for their rich taste and minimal pesticide use, potatoes from Hemja enjoy strong demand in Pokhara and surrounding areas. To attract attention, locals have created a massive 50,000-kg potato display, according to Jayraj Timilsina, coordinator of the potato collection and agriculture mobilization sub-committee.
Of Hemja’s total 13,500 hectares of land, 550 hectares are dedicated to potato farming, with around 2,000 households depending on agriculture for their livelihood.
Speaking at the festival’s inauguration, Pokhara Mayor Dhanraj Acharya assured full support from the city for advancing local agriculture and related sectors. He also encouraged farmers to utilize the city’s Agriculture Ambulance service to facilitate the sale and distribution of their produce.
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