Mahottari farmers earn from elephant-foot yam

By Ajay Shah

Mahottari, Oct. 5: Elephant-foot yam has become a reliable source of income for farmers in Mahottari after continuous rainfall damaged other vegetable crops.

Commercial cultivation of elephant-foot yam is practised in Bardibas, Bhangaha, Gaushala and Aurahi municipalities in the northern part of the district, as well as in the southeastern Matihani area.

Farmers have taken up elephant-foot yam cultivation because it requires less irrigation, investment and labour than other vegetable crops and can withstand heavy rainfall. According to local farmers, as the tuber grows underground, it is less vulnerable to prolonged rainfall than climbing and other above-ground vegetable crops.

Mahendra Mahato, a farmer from Pashupatinagar in Bardibas Municipality-9, said rainfall damaged crops such as cauliflower, eggplant, chilli and sponge gourd this year, but farmers were able to earn some income from elephant-foot yam.

“Continuous rainfall caused many vegetable plants to rot and perish. Elephant-foot yam, however, managed to withstand the rain to some extent and has helped us meet expenses during the festive season,” he said. 

He said the crop is planted on raised beds in upland fields and grows underground, making it comparatively more resilient than other vegetables.