Hari P. Gurung1 , I.R. Pandey2 , G.P. Shrestha2 and S. Dhimal3
1 National Centre for Fruit Development, Kirtipur, Nepal
2 Nepal Horticulture Society, Khumaltar, Lalitpur
2 Nepal Horticulture Society, Khumaltar, Lalitpur
3 Tuber Vegetable Development Center, Sindhuli
Corresponding author e-mail: hp_gurung@yahoo.com
Abstract
Nepal has favourable climatic and agro ecological diversity for the production of root and tuber (R&T) crops. Taro, yam, cassava, elephant foot yam, and sweet potato are the major cultivated R&T crops in Nepal. Tuber crops are widely cultivated in Nepal as minor crops. The total cultivated area, production and yield of major R&T crops in Nepal are 7979 ha, 99091 MT and 12.42 MT/ha respectively (MOALD, 2019). Research work on R&T crops is inadequate and extension programme is almost lacking. Only two varieties of sweet potato namely Suntale Sakharkhand-1 and Suntale Sakharkhand-2 with high beta-carotene content have been released by national seed board so far. Poor quality planting materials, low productivity, poor post-harvest handling practices and unorganized markets are major constraints in R&T crop production and marketing. Government policy and program for R&T crops should give high priority in varietal development, quality planting materials management, technology development and dissemination, post-harvest handling, product diversification and value addition, support to processing industries, storage facilities and marketing structures, and other promotional activities. Strong linkage and coordination among research, production and marketing institutions in all three tiers of governments with supportive policy and program will certainly bring significant change in the development of the root and tuber crops industry in Nepal.
Keywords: Status, Prospects, Root and Tuber crops, Germplasm, Value addition