Determinants of Farmers’ Willingness to Grow Potato on a Commercial Scale in Rupandehi District, Nepal

Abstract

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.