Pakistan is one of the major potatoes producing countries in the world. Potato ranks third among food crops and fifth in total agro-products in Pakistan. The total production of potatoes was 3.492 million tons in 2010-11. The domestic demand of potato is 1.5 million tons, leaving a surplus quantity of 1.992 million tons, thus creating an opportunity for private sector to export potato and make value addition. Pakistan is the major exporter of Potato to Afghanistan, Srilanka, Malysia, Iran, Singapore and Russia. The climatic conditions in some Districts Chitral, Upper Dir and Mansehra at high altitude are highly suitable for seed potato production with a seasonal compatibility with lower plains i.e. seed produced in October; after passing through the dormancy period of two months, can be used as seed for spring crop in the down Districts. In addition to several other factors, the potato growers mostly depend on seed provided by the local inputs suppliers, commission agents and traders from Peshawar/Punjab. The quality of seed available to the local farmers objected due to diseased, not true-to type and sometimes use ration potato from Punjab as seed; which are good carrier of certain viruses and diseases. To fill this gap, ASF  supported and awarded Matching Grants on Seed potato production on commercial basis, which included organization of FEGs, provision of improved seed and imparting of Training on Enterprise Development. In Peshawar region, 375 members of 25 FEGs successfully raised the seed potato crop and marketed collectively, earning about 80% higher than the local seed. *per Acre

Year	Yield	Sale Price	Gross Income	Production Cost	Net Income
	Kg	PKR	PKR	PKR	PKR
This Year (2013)	8,800	38	334,400	180,933	153,467
Last Year (2012)	6,208	25	155,200	100,000	55,200
Difference	2,592	13	179,200	80,933	98,267
%age change	42%	52%	115%	81%	178%

Muhammad Farooq a 50 years old FEG (Friends) member from Village Bonse in Batakundi (Naraan) area of District Mansehra in Peshawar Region is associated with potato production for the last 10 years. Like other FEG members he received 500 kg of Potato seed (Rakko) from the Project and training on Entrepreneurship, bringing a land of 05 kanals under potato cultivation. To undertake various activities like land preparation, sowing, weeding, earthling up, fertilizer application irrigation, harvesting, grading, packing and then marketing, took him to cost Rs. 180,933 per 05 acre. His activity provided full time jobs to 02 self-employees. The yield and price for this year production were found 42% and 52% higher than the last year, respectively, which resulted 178% higher net income as compared to the last year.