Kaski, April 6 : The 10th edition of Potato festival began in Hemja, ward no. 25 of Pokhara metropolis on Friday. The festival that is organised by local Bishnupaduka club will run until the first day of New Year 2076 i.e. April 14. The festival is being organised according to the organizers to promote this area known as the pocket area of potato and vegetables and develop Hemja as a professional agriculture centre. Various varieties of potato, delicacies made out of potato and other vegetable items, including Japanese organge, mushroom, coffee and tea are on exhibition and sale at the festival. Various agriculture tools and machinery are also on display at the event. A total of 28 agriculture and 95 business firms are taking part in the festival, according to the Club General Secretary Basant Kumar Shrestha. Minister for Land Reforms, Agriculture and Cooperatives of Gandaki State Lekh Bahadur Thapa inaugurated the festival yesterday. At the inaugural session, farmer Kamal Giri of Bardia was honoured with the National Farmer Prize carrying a purse of Rs. 25,000 while Chandra Kant Dumre and Ananta Raj Jaisi bagged the best State farmer prize including a purse of Rs. 15,000. Likewise, Jeevan KC won the local farmer prize worth Rs. 10,000. Also on the occasion, agriculture scientist Dr Bhim Bahadur Khatri was honoured. RSS
