23 February, Mahendranagar

Dhaulagiri rural municipality-2 of Myagdi in Mareni of Lamsung, the residents have started commercial collective potato cultivation on the land that has been barren for 20 years. A diligent multi-purpose farmers group has expanded potato cultivation in Mareni by planting bushes on 44 ropani lands.

Gausara Wik, the president of the group, said that the work of clearing the barren land has been started for a month. According to him, 18 people belonging to the group have cultivated collective potatoes commercially. This year, the group has prepared to plant potatoes on 100 acres of land. The group has said that it is preparing to cultivate more potatoes in Pareni and Lamsung along with Mareni.

In Mareni, 20 muri potato seeds were planted by renting the local land. Amrit Thapa, the technical assistant of the agricultural branch of the rural municipality, informed that the farmer group, which has started collective potato cultivation through the potato pocket program of the rural municipality, has planted local varieties of potatoes on 44 plants of land in Mareni alone.

"After cultivating potatoes on barren land, the shape of the land that has been barren for years has changed. Local farmers are excited to continue it in the coming year. If the weather is favorable, collective potato farming will help the residents with their income," said Thapa.

The rural municipality has assigned a budget of 1.2 million for the potato pocket program in the current financial year. As per the agriculture branch, the chosen group of Ward No. 2 and Ward No. 6 of Buljharm in Marang will be mobilized at the rate of 6 lacks each. It is said that agricultural implements such as mini tillers and plows will be supported through this Karam for the expansion of farming in a barren land.