རྒྱལ་ཡོངས་ཀེ་བ།

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Potato is an important component in the food security. The potato in Bhutan directly contributes to the food security through consumption or as a cash crop.  It is also most important cash crop to the house hold above 2500msl.  Potato has acted as an agent in transforming the subsistence farming to market oriented farming.  Potato is grown dominantly in Paro, chukha, Wangdue Phodrang , Bumthang, Monger and Tashigang Dzongkhags.

The National Potato program focuses on development of Potato at the national level by introducing diseases and pest free new variety. To address some of the challenges, the variety development research has recently produced two new varieties, Yusi Maap and Nasephel Kewa Kaap. Both are high yielding and resistant to late blight, a major production constraint. Further, Yusi Maap content high levels of Iron, Zinc and Vitamin C that may address malnutrition. Growers’ have provided positive feedback on the new varieties and they have potentials to enhance production, consumption and trade.