Surkhet: The potential of dragon fruit cultivation in Surkhet has given a new ray of hope to local farmers, drawing many towards commercial farming of the exotic fruit. Encouraged by its profitability and market demand, 45 farmers across the district have now ventured into dragon fruit farming.
Krishna Adhikari from Birendranagar-8 is one of the pioneers of dragon fruit cultivation in the area. After completing his studies in Korea and briefly working as a Korean language instructor in Kathmandu, Adhikari decided to return to his roots and pursue agriculture. Investing around 4 million Nepali Rupees, he established the Karnali Dragon Agriculture and Livestock Farm on 23 katthas of leased land in Gragetal, Birendranagar-11.
Adhikari began with 3,000 saplings planted on 750 poles and has since expanded to 3,600 plants on 900 poles. He imported ‘Siam Red’ variety saplings from India and started production within a year of planting. With harvesting season running from May to December, the fruit reaches market-ready stage within 35 days of budding.
In the first season this year, Adhikari has already produced 150 kg of fruit and expects over 2 metric tons in the second season. Last year, he sold 6 metric tons of dragon fruit, generating over NPR 2.2 million in revenue. This year, he expects production to double, potentially reaching NPR 3 million in sales. The retail price currently ranges between NPR 350 to 400 per kilogram.
Besides dragon fruit, Adhikari also grows Kurilo (asparagus), flowers, and has started beekeeping. Last year, he earned NPR 60,000 just from Kurilo sales and aims to expand his beekeeping operation from 3 to 60 hives this year. His farm also provides permanent employment to one worker, with a monthly salary of NPR 17,000.
Similarly, Padma Rawat from Birendranagar-12 has been engaged in dragon fruit farming for the past five years. Together with her late husband, she started the Malika Agriculture and Dragon Fruit Farm in 2020. Despite losing her husband to COVID-19 in 2021, Rawat continued the business, expanding her plantation from 650 poles with 2,600 saplings to 1,400 poles with over 5,600 plants.
Leasing land under a 15-year agreement, Rawat pays NPR 300,000 annually for the farm. This season, she has already sold 200 kg of dragon fruit and expects to produce even more as newly planted saplings mature. On average, her farm generates up to NPR 600,000 annually, with additional income from sapling sales, vegetables, flowers, poultry, and goat farming.
Mahendra Khanal, President of the Karnali Dragon Producers Association, confirmed that dragon fruit farming is gaining momentum in Surkhet. Currently, around 70 hectares of land are under dragon fruit cultivation. Khanal noted that local produce is being sold not only within Surkhet but also supplied to markets in Nepalgunj and Kathmandu.
Khanal believes that with proper market access, storage facilities, and technical support from both government and private sectors, dragon fruit farming can play a transformative role in boosting Karnali Province’s agricultural economy.
