Safe and affordable storage and availability of fresh potatoes during off-season is an important constraint faced by farmers. Despite cold temperature and dry weather during winter months which are highly favourable for storage of potatoes under ambient conditions, there are reports of high storage losses, damage by rodents and early sprouting which leads to unavailability of good and fresh potatoes during the off-season. Modern storage technologies such as cold storage facilities are developed and being promoted in strategic locations but such facilities do not always suit and serve the critical needs of the smallholder potato farmers. There is a need to evaluate and adapt more sustainable, cheap and climate smart technologies that address the constraints of small scale farmers.
In order to address the storage needs of the small potato farmers, the National Potato Program (NPP) of the National Center for organic Agriculture (NCOA)-Yusipang has initiated trail on the pit storage of potatoes in collaboration with the National Post Harvest Center (NHPC) of the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperatives (DAMC).
The trial is being conducted at Jeshingang village under Shari Gewog in Paro and it was established on 30th November 2022. Pit storage is an old traditional way of safely storing potatoes. It is being practiced in many countries but it was never tried in Bhutan. This technology is new to both researchers and farmers.
The pit storage technology basically comprises the incorporation of ventilation pipes in a pit dug to store the potatoes. Wooden planks are used in the base of the pit to avoid direct raise and avoid contact with ground from water logging. This also helps to control temperature and moisture inside the storage pit. The best site for construction of pit storage is under shade. The dimension of the pit is 2m x 2m x 1.6m. The potatoes need to be packed in open net bags. The store is then covered by planks and plastic on the top and finally covered by a thick layer of soil with proper drainage. Ventilation is provided by creating a vent above the potato stack in the pit using 150 mm pipe. Warm air and associated moisture rise and gets trapped in the cavity. The hot air can be released, allowing cool air to be drawn in from outside through a second pipe that brings air down to a vent at the base of the pit.
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This kind of pit storage technology has been found to be most efficient in areas with an altitude range between 2000-3000 meters above sea level.
The main objectives of this research trial are to adapt and assess the pit storage as a climate smart technology for storage of potatoes; demonstrate pit storage as a suitable, low cost and sustainable and climate smart storage technology for small holder farmers; and promote pit storage as an organic technology. If successful, this technology will be widely promoted to the potato farmers in Bhutan.
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