न्यूज अभियान
हरेक खबर विशेष खबर

Sunsari, Aug 25: An orchard with thriving dragon fruits is everything to Krishpashwor Ghale Gurung to make him known in the town and secure hefty income too.

In the beginning Ghale was hesitating whether the new fruit would thrive in the soil he was cultivating, but his devotion to the farming has ensured rewarding income. "Fortune favours bold", Ghale, who retired from 28-year of Indian military service, reminds the adage when he began the farming.

He is making Rs 5.5 to Rs 6 million income in a year by selling the fruit grown in two bighas of land. Ghale had heard that the dragon fruit was being cultivated in various parts of the country, but whether it would bear good yield was the concern before launching. 

Ghale established the Sarjuma Dragon Fruit Agriculture Firm in 2074BS and advanced his agricultural journey. He has raised the cactus species (red, pink) which was imported in Nepal from Malaysia some 22 years back. Many people were unaware about the use and importance of this fruit, while it gradually grew market. 

People began demanding this fruit. It a native fruit to the southern and central America. It gradually spread to Asia and the US. Some even call this fruit a 'pitaya' or strawberry pear.
Ghale informed that people in his town and vicinity knew the health benefit of this fruit, which helped raise its cost.

Currently, there are some 500 plants, bearing the fruits. In a season, it bears fruit for nine to ten times, ensuring regular income to the farmer.

In a year, it cost nearly one million rupees to manage agricultural tools, fertilizers and labours in a year.

Not only fruits but also the saplings are sold for the income. Ghale sells the dragon fruit saplings of some Rs 400 thousand in a year. 

He shared that it used to cost Rs 4 to 5 for a sapling in the beginning, which now costs Rs 5o to Rs 70. A sapling begins bearing fruit after cultivation.

One kg of this fruit costs Rs 350 at retail price while Rs 300 in wholesale. In the offseason, he sells it at Rs 450 to 500 per kg.
The former military has kept two employees to tend the farm. He pays them Rs 16,000 per month. Similarly, nine persons work every on daily wage- Rs 800 per day. 

When it is cultivation and harvest time, the number of labour is increased accordingly.  

In the last fiscal year, he was able to produce 27 metric tonnes of strawberry pears, while the produce this year is expected to reach 30 metric tonnes.

The tropical low-calorie fruit is ferried to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Hetauda and Butwal for sale. Even Dharan, Itahari, Inaruwa and Biratnagar are the town for marketing in the vicinity.Most of the dealers visit the orchard and pick it.

The fruit requires loose and gritty soil and open space. Cold weather is not good for it. The farmers need to be aware against spread of fungus disease.

Ghale suggests youths that they engaged in this fruit farming so that they can make good income.