Despite being an important food and cash crop in Nepal, commercialization of potato is limited. This study was conducted to identify the determinants of farmers’ willingness to grow potatoes on a commercial scale, as well as the encouraging and limiting factors, in Rupandehi district, Nepal. Employing a purposive random sampling, 120 farm households were selected from seven municipalities. Primary data were collected in 2025 through household surveys using a pretested semi-structured interview schedule, while Key Informant Interview (KII) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) were conducted with selected participants. Descriptive statistics and a probit model were used for data analysis. The results revealed that farming experience, access to labor, landholding size and access to subsidy were key determinants that positively affected farmers’ willingness to commercialize potato cultivation, while age had a negative effect. Farmers reported better market access, availability of improved seeds, higher selling prices and financial support as major motivating factors for commercialization. Similarly, farmers reported risks of crop failure, lack of capital, small landholdings and unstable prices as major barriers. Thus, the study highlights the need for targeted policy actions such as providing timely access to quality inputs, expanding financial support, stabilizing market prices and promoting collective approaches to address landholding issues to enhance farmers’ involvement in commercial potato production.
Kriti Bhandari, S. Bhatta, B. P. Mishra· Nepalese Journal of Agricult...· 0 citations
Agricultural mechanization is crucial in improving productivity and reducing labor dependency. However, the adoption of machinery in Nepal's hilly regions remains limited.The study was conducted to identify the determinants of farm machinery adoption among maize farmers in Khotang, Nepal. Data were collected from 123 randomly selected farm households through a pre-tested semi-structured interview schedule. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant Interview (KII) were conducted with selected participants. In analyzing data, descriptive statistics and a probit regression model were employed. Consequently, 56.09% of the farmers had adopted at least one type of farm machinery. Power tillers, shellers, and maize planters are the commonly adopted machinery. Regular contact with extension workers and membership in either farmers groups or cooperatives had a highly significant positive effect on the adoption of farm machinery. The most common reasons for non-adoption are high rental costs, lack of technical knowledge and small fragmented landholdings. While, women-specific training is the most needed support reported by women farmers. Hence, this study revealed that institutional and social factors are more important than individual characteristics in adopting mechanization. Strengthening extension services together with farmers groups and cooperatives is an issue of priority in promoting mechanization for maize-based hill farming systems in Nepal.
Bishal Rawat, Anish Bilash Panta, S. Bhatta et al.· Nepalese Journal of Agricult...· 0 citations