Traditional potato production and farmers" selection of varieties in eastern Nepal

Data were collected in 1982 through ethnographic, open-ended interviews with farmers from both the lowland Nepali Terai on the Gangetic Plains and Mechi hill zone in Ilam District. Himalayan agronomic practices, potato folk taxonomy, and farmer germplasm management bear striking structural similarity to those used by Andean potato farmers. Nepali potato landraces are more varied than previously realized. Thirty-five possibly distinct varieties were identified, over 20 varieties in one hill village alone. Varieties are described and classified according to farmers" opinions about their agronomic, nutritional, and economic qualities. It is recommended that local landraces and traditional practices be studied further and considered in future production improvement efforts. (Author abstract)