Community-management of potato disease in Nepal: from micro experience to macro policy

• Published in: LARC Seminar Paper (Nepal) no. 96/37
• Main Authors: Ghimire, S.R, Dhital, B.K, Vaidya, A, Gurung, T.B, Pradhanang, P.M. (Lumle Agricultural Research Centre, Pokhara, Kaski (Nepal))
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pokhara, Kaski (Nepal) Lumle Regional Agricultural Research Centre 1997
• Subjects: NEPAL; PHYTOPHTHORA INFESTANS; PSEUDOMONAS SOLANACEARUM; SOLANUM TUBEROSUM
• ISSN: 1023-3393

Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) is a destructive disease of potato in the hills of Nepal. It has been introduced in many traditional seed potato pockets and spread in different potato growing areas of the country. An integrated management programme for bacterial wilt (BW) disease consisting of seed multiplication in disease free areas, rouging of self-sown seed potatoes, adoption of a three year rotation with non-host crops and creation of awareness amongst the farmers on safe disposal of infected potatoes and crop hygiene thorugh a community approach was tested by Lumle Agricultural Research Centre in two severely BW infected villages; Sabet and Ghandruk of Kaski district in 1990. The programme was extended to include Ulleri and Jhilibarang villages of Kaski and Parbat districts respectively in 1993 with the financial support of Users' Perspective With Agriculture Research and Development, Philippines. LARC's experience on working at four villages of the western hills shows that the approach adopted was technically effective to manage the disease. Though the programme was implemented with a participatory approach, it was difficult to achieve the required level of participation which was mainly due to inadequate empowerment and recognition of the farmers' committee. The participation in the programme is highly interactions which were considered while implementing the programme. Lack of awareness about the disease and the exchange of potatoes between villages was a major threat for the management of BW disease. It is recommended to create massive awareness as an intervention in the traditional system to discourage the spread and reintroduction of the disease and to implement the programme in all socio-culturally linked villages. Institutionalisation of the programme is very important for a sustainable management of BW disease in Nepal. Ways and means for institutionalisation of BW programme in Nepal including policy support for potato research and development, seed certification, internal and external quarantine are discussed in the paper.