Upscaling potatoes business through sales channels Agriterra started collaboration with BSFACL in 2016. In November 2016 and March 2017  Agriterra provided advisory missions to BSFACL in conducting value chain analysis of potatoes and developing market strategies for graded potatoes in terms of size and quality. BSFACL found a clear need for investment which seems feasible and realistic in the potatoes sorting  grading and packaging. With support received from HortiNova and own capital  BSFACL constructed the steel truss for potatoes storage and potatoes grading machine. BSFACL has tested market of graded and package potatoes in September and October 2017. BSFACL has graded 20 tons of potatoes and sold with packaging in Kathmandu  Chitwan  Hetauda and Birgunj cities in the pilot phase. BSFACL was able to give average of Rs.10 more than the prevailing market price. The response from the market was positive from consumer side. In year 2017  BSFACL has invested much time in testing market  and developing marketing strategies and business plan. Now  BSFACL is doing preparation to do potatoes business in large quantities in 2018. BSFACL is focusing on developing the market network and sales channels for continuous supply of graded potatoes. The proposed activities are developed based upon experiences from 2017 and discussions among BSFACL and Agriterra to upscale the potatoes marketing through cooperative which ultimately benefit the members2019With the success in pilot phase  the BSFACL is motivated in upscaling the potatoes business. The BSFACL developed business plan and marketing strategies  invested in cold storage and infrastructure  and developed linkage with buyers. With these experiences  the BSFACL has set targets to market 300 tons of graded potatoes with packaging and own brand  and pilot marketing of potatoes products in small scale in 2019. The proposed activities of 2019 will strengthen organization capacity  improve quality production and productivity  and support in market expansion.   2020The BSFACL sold 305 tons in 2019 of potatoes with grading  packaging and own branding as a pilot phase. The BSFACL gave average of Rs. 2 to Rs. 10 more than the prevailing market price. The response from the market was positive from consumer side. With the success in pilot phase  the BSFACL is motivated in upscaling the potatoes business. With these experiences  the BSFACL has set targets to market 700 tons of graded potatoes with packaging and own brand in 2020. The proposed activities of 2020 will strengthen organization capacity  improve quality production and productivity  and support in market expansion. 2018
BSFACL has set the goal of 100 ton sales of graded potatoes with packaging and own logo in 2018. 
Other expected outcomes to support set goals are:
Functional potatoes business with clear operational guidelines  and developed operational and financial plan for potatoes businessIncreased marketing skills and plan for branding and marketing of potatoesIncreased the performance of the grading machine through feeding of potatoes automaticallyAdopted new way and techniques of potatoes farmingImproved financial management
  2019
BSFACL has set targets to market 300 tons of graded potatoes with packaging and own brand  and pilot marketing of potatoes products in small scale in 2019  2020 The BSFACL has set targets to market 700 tons of graded potatoes with packaging and own brand in 2020. The objective of action plan 2018 is to upscale the potatoes marketing through cooperative which ultimately benefit the members.Specific objectives of 2018 :Specific objective 1: Professionalize cooperative potatoes marketingActivity 1.1 Workshop on developing cooperative marketing guidelines and revised business plan based upon experiences of 2017 (In line with A.2)Activity 1.2 Set up separate management team and account for potatoes businessActivity 1.3 Digitize data of the potatoes production quantities  types  qualities and harvesting time of 150 commercial famers.Activity 1.4 Assessment to explore the possibilities on expanding potatoes business through visiting wholesalers (15)  retailers (15) and cooperatives (20)Activity 1.5 Orientation program with 150 commercial farmersActivity 1.6 Meetings of representative of BoD  marketing sub committee  manager and BDM officerActivity 1.7 Workshop and field visit on market assessment and developing branding/market positioning plan Specific objective 2: Support in processing and handling of potatoes gradingActivity 2.1 Purchase Conveyor for Potatoes GradingSpecific objective 3: Improve quality and production of potatoesActivity 3.1 Workshop about new variety of potato with technical support from Nepal Agricultural Research CouncilActivity 3.2 Farmer field school for potato productionSpecific objective 4: Improve financial management capacityActivity 4.1 Follow up on action plan of basic financial management trainingActivity 4.2 Submit audit report of 2017/18 and discuss results with Agriterra BAActivity 4.3 Participate on Agriterra strategic financial management trainingSpecific objectives of 2019:Sub objective 1: Manage regular supplies of potatoesActivity 1.1: Prepare operational manual for supplies of potatoes Activity 1.2: Orient and interact with potatoes farmers in 9 wards of Thaha municipalityActivity 1.3: Workshop and field visit on developing plan of supply chainSub objective 2 : Professionalize cooperative potatoes marketingActivity 2.1: Develop value proposition of potatoes based on local uniqueness and presentation of potatoes marketingActivity 2.2: Interaction program at 5 different cities to expand the market  demand collection and receive customer requirementsActivity 2.3: Workshop and field visit on market assessment and developing branding/market positioning planActivity 2.4: Training on value addition on D grade potatoes Sub objective 3: Improve quality and production of potatoesActivity 3.1: Technical training on potato productionActivity 3.2: Farmer field school for potato productionActivity 3.3: Soil test and provide advisory support under cooperation with Agriculture development officeSub objective 4 : Strengthen institutional capacity Activity 4.1: Regular coach and follow up of action plans of workshop/training on financial managementActivity 4.2: Mid term and final review workshop to track the progress and provide support for planning and implementation of advisory support and events. Activity 4.3: Submit audit report of 2018/19 and discuss results with Agriterra BASpecific Objectives 2020Sub Objective 1 : Professionalize cooperative potatoes marketingActivity 1.1 Interaction program at 5 different cities to expand the market  demand collection and receive customer requirementsActivity 1.2 Orient and interact with potatoes farmersActivity 1.3 Conduct technical and financial planning session for potatoes businessActivity 1.4 Business Promotional activitiesSub Objective 2 : Improve production and productivity of potatoes and reduce post-harvest lossActivity 2.1 Coaching on  production of seed potatoesActivity 2.2 Training on post-harvest handing of potatoesActivity 2.3 Exchange visit to potatoes source centersSub Objective 3: Strengthen institutional capacity on governance and financial managementActivity 3.1 Workshop on Guidance on Performance of Board MembersActivity 3.2 Make a separate income statement of each business and serviceActivity 3.3 Midterm and final review workshop to track the progress and provide support for planning and implementation of advisory support and events.Activity 3.3 Submit audit report of 2019/20 and discuss results with Agriterra BA