Since the longest time, Dhankuta has been famous for its oranges and other citrus fruits. However, in the past decade, the trend has been changing – to avocados. Dhankuta farmers, emboldened by the promising financial rewards of avocados in the past years, have been increasingly shifting their focus on the plantation and production of avocados. Noticing the tremendous potential of the fruit as a game changer, Dhankuta’s local administration too has been encouraging the farmers to plant more avocado trees. In 2018, Dhankuta’ local administration declared the district the “Avocado Capital” of Nepal, and to further promote the fruit also organized an avocado festival. In the festival, farmers proudly displayed several varieties of the fruits for the world to see.

1. “Nepal’s Youth should consider commercial avocado farming instead of foreign employment” Krishna Bahadur Khadka, Dhankuta 02

Starting with two avocado trees, Krishna Bahadur Khadka currently has four fruit bearing avocado trees. He has planted many others across his seven ropanis of land which are all at different phases of growth. “My avocado trees provide an annual income of anywhere between Rs. 40,000 to 60,000 to my family”, Khadka shares with us. “These contractors, they visit me in my plantation during harvest time, pluck the fruits, and keep it in a sack. Once they have ripened, they come back, and separate the fruit from the seed. The seeds are sent to to a nursery that rears saplings from them. The fruit, whatever can be consumed, is consumed, the rest is used as compost manure”, he adds. Initially he too, like other farmers had planted oranges, however as the orange plants started to die, he replaced them with avocados instead. Khadka is an ardent believer of the potential avocados has in terms of uplifting a farmer’s socio-economic status. In his concluding remarks, he advises Nepal’s youth to consider ‘commercial avocado farming’ as an alternative to foreign employment. “If you are able to plant anywhere between 10 – 15 trees, you will be able to sustain your family’s basic needs. Why then wouldn’t you consider planting avocados?” he shares.

2. A long way from selling our fruits for Rs. 20 per kilo Shobha Chauhan, Pakhribas, Dhankuta

For Shobha Chauhan of Pakhribas, Dhankuta, this year’s hailstorm destroyed most of her avocado crops – however, she hasn’t lost her motivation. She hopes next year will be better. Like Khadka, she has four fruit bearing avocado trees and several plants in her garden. Last year alone, she made Rs. 50,000 annual income, selling her fruits for anywhere between Rs. 100-150 per kilogram. “That is a long way from the Rs. 20 per kilo we used to be offered around 10 years ago”, she adds. Her oldest tree, the one behind her in the photograph, is more than 20 years old, and still bears fruits. Currently, she has many plants in her field, however is concerned that since she does not have any fencing, the deer will come and destroy them again.

3. “The past 4 to 5 years has been very promising” Purshottam Prasad Bhandari, Patale, Dhankuta

Purshottam Prasad Bhandari planted his first avocado tree 17 years ago – today, he proudly boasts of 150 trees which are in various stages from young plants to full fruit bearing. When asked about his experience with avocados, he tells us that he spent the first decade of his avocado plantation years experimenting and trialing, however since the past five years he has been further interested in the prospects of commercial avocado farming. “My fruits have given me returns of up to NRS 200,000, and that has really motivated me to pursue avocado farming better”, he shares with us. Like other farmers, he too is disappointed this year’s hailstorm destroyed much of his fruits; however, he is also optimistic about the years to come. “The hailstorm wasn’t within our control, it is a natural phenomenon. There’s no point being sad over it. If not this year, I am hopeful we will have a better year next year”, he shares. Sign up for exciting deals and discounts on Nepali Avocado