Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) is one of the most destructive diseases of potato in the high hills. This disease is difficult to manage due to a lack of resistant varieties and the conducive environment in the high hills for long term survival of the pathogen in soil. Lack of awareness of the disease and its management amongst the farmers has further complicated the problem. An effort has been made by Lumle Agricultural Research Centre to manage the disease in traditional upland potato growing areas of the Western hills with community participatory approach. Key components comprise elimination of infected planting material from the villages, seed multiplication in isolated disease free areas, adoption of three-year rotation with non­ host crops, eradication of volunteer potato plants and farmers' education on crop hygiene and disease management. These were implemented through farmer committees. Experiences show that the approach adopted was technically feasible to manage the disease if the regulations envisaged were followed by all community members. As the reintroduction of the disease due to inter-village exchange of potatoes is the biggest threat to the programme, a strong and effective bacterial wilt awareness campaign in a wider area is urgently needed. Alternative income generating activities such as off-season vegetable production and upland rice cultivation encouraged community cooperation on the programme. Some problems encountered in implementing the programme, potential solutions and areas for further investigation are discussed in the paper.

Bacterial wilt (Pseudomonas solanacearum) is one of the most destructive diseases of potato in the high hills. This disease is difficult to manage due to a lack of resistant varieties and the conducive environment in the high hills for long term survival of the pathogen in soil. Lack of awareness of the disease and its management amongst the farmers has further complicated the problem. An effort has been made by Lumle Agricultural Research Centre to manage the disease in traditional upland potato growing areas of the Western hills with community participatory approach. Key components comprise elimination of infected planting material from the villages, seed multiplication in isolated disease free areas, adoption of three-year rotation with non­ host crops, eradication of volunteer potato plants and farmers' education on crop hygiene and disease management. These were implemented through farmer committees. Experiences show that the approach adopted was technically feasible to manage the disease if the regulations envisaged were followed by all community members. As the reintroduction of the disease due to inter-village exchange of potatoes is the biggest threat to the programme, a strong and effective bacterial wilt awareness campaign in a wider area is urgently needed. Alternative income generating activities such as off-season vegetable production and upland rice cultivation encouraged community cooperation on the programme. Some problems encountered in implementing the programme, potential solutions and areas for further investigation are discussed in the paper.