February 14: Agricultural Knowledge Center, Dhulikhel is preparing to make Sindhupalchowk a 'Kiwi Zone' due to an increase in attraction of farmers in kiwi farming in the district.

“We have been giving grants to Melamchi Municipality-1 by declaring it as a pocket area of ​​Kiwi,” said Tej Prasad Duwadi, head of the knowledge center, adding, “Now we are preparing to make the zone a Kiwi zone.”

According to Duwadi, saplings were distributed in areas like Batase, Karkitar, Thumpaakhar, Jethal and Nawalpur last year with a grant from the Agriculture Knowledge Center.

Duwadi further informed that 1,500 tons of Kiwi was produced in Helambu, Bhotechaur and Haibung last year. He said that Kiwi farming should be promoted further in the district as there is a plan to make drinks including wine and juice and sell them in the market. He further informed that the villagers have started using machines to make juice, wine and other beverages.

According to the center, it is estimated that 2.5 metric tons of kiwi will be produced in the district this year. Farmers from Melamchi Municipality, Helambu Municipality, Chautara Sangachokgadhi Municipality and Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality in the western region have been engaged in kiwi farming after the center started providing assistance. Farmers have started cultivating Kiwi commercially after being encouraged by good production and income. Farmers of Khale and Karkitar of Sangachokgadhi Municipality-3 of Chautara have planted 350 saplings and started kiwi farming from this year.

Likewise, kiwi planted six years ago in Bhotechaur has started producing furits. Dinesh Prasad Sigdel and a group of local youths had planted kiwi in 60 ropani of land in 2069 with an investment of Rs 8 million. “At present, Kiwi farming is being done in 1,200 ropani of land,” he said, adding, “We have been increasing it every year. Every year, around 1,000 people are getting employment from this business.”

Similarly, with an investment of Rs 20 million, kiwi saplings are planted in 220 ropani of land in Haibung. Currently, 16,000 saplings are planted in 1,420 ropani of land in both places. Sigdel says that Rs 40 million has been invested to plant the saplings. The kiwi fruit, which has been produced since last year, is being sold as per the demand of traders.

Sigdel informed that initially he brought the saplings from Dhulikhel at Rs 600 per plant and since this year, he has established a nursery and has been selling plant at Rs 250 per plant. Altogether 500 saplings have been sold and distributed in Helambu from there. From this year, they have started producing juice as well.

Mahalal Dulal of Haibung Banjaratol said that he was discouraged due to low production initially. "There is no problem of not getting market for the fruit anymore," he said, adding that even though one has to wait for 4 to 5 years for the kiwi fruit to be harvested, more farmers have become interested due to the prospect of good income.

Farmers say that it has been easier to expand the farming after Himalayan Kiwi Pvt. Ltd started producing and selling the plant. “Everyone started investing after the firm started good Kiwi Production,” a local Subas Dulal said.

Similarly, kiwi planted five years ago in 10 ropanis by Arjun Sapkota of Listi, Bhotekoshi Rural Municipality-1 has started bearing fruit. Kiwi plant starts bearing fruits four years after planting. The farmers have prioritised the Nepali market in the first phase and export in the second phase. The fruit which is produced between November to February can also be used to make foods such as wine and jam.