'Give us fertilizer, take our vote', say farmers of Panauti

By Keshab Raj Poudel, Kavrepalanchok, Feb.6:  Farmers in Panauti Municipality of Kavrepalanchok district, including Sita Danuwar of Panauti–5, are worried about finishing harvesting potatoes before the House of Representatives election and planting vegetables afterward.

 She is waiting for election candidates to visit her fields so she can ask why the potatoes she produced did not receive a fair price.

 Farmers faced difficulties due to the unavailability of chemical fertilizer on time. On top of that, cold storage facilities where seed potatoes were kept also caused problems. Now, as potato prices have fallen so sharply that even production costs cannot be recouped, she is waiting to question candidates about what they will do in favor of farmers.

She said Panauti wants to send the message that “a farmer’s role is not limited to casting a vote.” “No one becomes great just by folding their hands and visiting fields during elections. Only when farmers receive a fair price for their produce can someone truly be called a public servant,” Danuwar said. 

“We will ask candidates about plans and guarantees for markets that ensure fair prices for potatoes and vegetables,” She said.

Another farmer from Panauti Kafledihi, Gyan Bahadur Thapa, said the drop in potato prices has dampened election enthusiasm among farmers. 

It is already time to harvest potatoes, but prices have not increased. 

Thapa complained that while farmers sold potatoes at Rs 35 per kilogram at this time last year, traders are now offering only Rs 22 per kilogram, putting farmers in trouble.

 “We have heard from traders that Indian potatoes dominating the market have caused Panauti potatoes to lose their value,” he said. 

Farmers in Panauti used to get good prices for potatoes harvested as early as Magh, but this year the lack of fair prices has prevented election excitement from reaching the area. At one time, farmers in Panauti earned up to Rs 40 per kilogram for potatoes during this season.

Rameshwar Dahal, chairperson of Panauti–2 and also a leading farmer, said candidates must commit to raising farmers’ issues in Parliament.

No agency has accurate data on how much land in Panauti is used for vegetable farming. 

Local seed seller and senior farmer Saroj Sapkota said at least 30,000 ropanis of farmland in Panauti are used for potato cultivation. 

He added that vegetable farming is the primary source of income for farmers there, and that they plan to raise concerns with candidates about price fluctuations and lack of markets. 

More than six billion rupees’ worth of potatoes are sold in Panauti each season, and at least 15,000 families cover their annual household expenses through potato farming. 

From January to June, Panauti potatoes dominate major cities across the country, including the Kathmandu Valley.

While farmers in Panauti are worried about potato prices, Santosh Neupane of Kushadevi, Panauti, said that even farmers who want to farm just for subsistence still do not receive chemical fertilizer easily. 

He said the time has come to launch a campaign with the slogan, “Give us fertilizer, take our votes.” 

As the potato harvesting season begins in Panauti, potato planting has started in Panauti, Dhulikhel, Bethanchok, and Banepa. 

He noted that during the House of Representatives election, farmers are prepared to exchange their votes for fertilizer while questioning candidates who visit villages carrying their election agendas.