Afghanistan

Afghanistan’s diverse agro-climatic zones offer ideal conditions for high-quality potato production, with farming concentrated across nine provinces—most notably Bamyan, which alone accounts for over 70% of the national output. Other key potato-producing regions include Nangarhar, Parwan, Panjsher, Takhar, Uruzgan, Samangan, Sarepul, and Wardak.

Afghan farmers cultivate both local and exotic varieties such as Safed Gul, Be Gul, Sabz Gul, Sorkh Gul (Lavkar), Chandramukhi, Cardinal, and Desiree—the latter introduced from India and Pakistan in 2002. The International Potato Center (CIP) further supported varietal diversification in 2003 by introducing Kufri Jyoti, Kufri Badshah, and Diamond in Nangarhar.

Potatoes are cultivated primarily in spring in high-altitude valleys and in fall in lower plains, using retained seed potatoes stored underground. While most seed storage remains traditional, modern training and private sector investment are gradually improving storage infrastructure.

With growing technical support and expanding cultivation, national potato production reached 889,000 metric tons in 2023, according to FAO estimates—solidifying the crop’s essential role in Afghanistan’s food security and rural economy.

Potatoes in Afghanistan have become a vital part of the country’s agricultural and food systems, with their cultivation tracing back to the early 20th century through foreign agricultural influence and local adaptation. Grown primarily in Afghanistan’s high-altitude provinces such as Bamyan, Badakhshan, and Ghor, potatoes have thrived due to the cool climate and fertile soil of these regions.

The growth of potato farming accelerated in the 1960s and 70s, driven by rural development programs supported by international partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and USAID. Today, Bamyan Province is the leading potato producer, accounting for more than 60% of national output and earning its reputation as the country’s “potato capital.”

Potatoes are not only a staple food that supports nutrition and food security, but also a crucial income source for thousands of Afghan farmers.