Field Day in Chon-Alai: Advancing Elite Seed Potato Production in High-Altitude Conditions

On 5 August 2026, a Field Day focused on the development of elite seed potato production under high-altitude conditions was held in Zhar-Bashy village, Chon-Alai District, Osh Region. The event was organized under the Seed Potato Value Chain Scheme and brought together seed potato producers, farmers, potential buyers, government representatives, and agricultural specialists.

The Field Day focused on assessing seed potato production results, reviewing demonstration plots, and discussing opportunities to strengthen the local seed potato value chain. Participants visited demonstration plots featuring Super-Super Elite (S), Super Elite (SE), and Elite (E) seed categories and discussed the performance of different varieties.

Particular attention was given to the Camelia and Colombo varieties. Following the field assessment, specialists noted their good adaptation to the high-altitude conditions of Chon-Alai, resilience to climatic stresses, strong plant development, and good tuber formation.

The high-altitude conditions of Zhar-Bashy create favorable conditions for producing high-quality seed potatoes. The natural climatic isolation of the area and the low presence of virus vectors contribute to maintaining the phytosanitary quality of seed material in the S, SE, and E categories.

The Field Day also included a comparative economic analysis of locally produced seed potatoes and imported seed material. According to the calculations presented, the indicative price of imported Elite (E) seed potatoes from Europe is 170-180 KGS per kilogram, while locally multiplied seed produced by the Zhar-Bashy Agricultural Cooperative is estimated at around 100 KGS per kilogram.

This represents potential savings of approximately 70-80 KGS per kilogram, or up to 44%. The use of locally produced seed material can help farmers reduce production costs while also lowering dependence on international logistics and foreign exchange fluctuations.

The event generated practical interest among farmers from Chon-Alai as well as representatives of agricultural cooperatives and farms from Aravan District. Potential buyers expressed interest in sourcing high-altitude seed potatoes to renew their varietal stock and support the production of commercial potatoes in lowland areas.

Participants also discussed opportunities to strengthen interregional cooperation between seed potato producers in Chon-Alai and potential buyers from other districts of Osh Region.

At the same time, the Field Day highlighted several infrastructure constraints that need to be addressed to scale up production. One of the main challenges is the limited availability of specialized potato harvesting equipment. The lack of potato harvesters and specialized digging equipment increases reliance on manual labor, which can extend harvesting periods and raise production costs.

Another important need is the development of specialized potato storage facilities. Modern storage facilities with controlled temperature and humidity are essential for maintaining the quality of seed material and ensuring its availability throughout the season.

Participants also discussed requirements for proper product labeling. For commercial distribution, each bag of seed potatoes should indicate the crop and variety, seed category, batch number, harvest year, producer, and legal and physical address.

The Field Day in Zhar-Bashy provided a platform for practical exchange between producers, specialists, and potential buyers and helped identify key priorities for further developing local elite seed potato production and expanding interregional market opportunities.