Birendra Khadka is a permanent resident of Dudilabote, Jabang, Madi Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa. He has been commercially cultivating strawberries on 10.64 ropani land in Jhingaura, Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City-14, Dang and has managed to generate an annual turnover of approximately NRs 1.4 million. Strawberries in Dang are sold at NPR 800 per kilogram. He sells around 20–25 kg daily directly from his farm, but due to the ongoing festival near the farm, demand has increased, allowing him to sell up to 50 kg per day. He mentioned that he has already made sales of more than NPR 400,000 this year.
Farmer Khadka said, “After studying agriculture, I wanted to contribute to my hometown, so I established an agricultural farm six years ago and started floriculture. But since the past two years, I have also been commercially cultivating strawberries.”
He has leased land from Swargadwari Ashram in Jhingaura, Ghorahi, for commercial strawberry farming. Additionally, from Dang AgroMart Agricultural Farm, he also cultivates marigold flowers during festival seasons and engages in commercial watermelon farming during the summer.
Highlighting the rich flavor and high nutritional value of strawberries, he stated that he initially invested over NPR 800,000 in procuring seedlings and implementing the mulching method for drip irrigation. Planted in late Bhadra, the crops have now begun yielding fruit, with sales already in progress. He expressed optimism about achieving even higher earnings in the future.
He stated that due to the favorable climate and soil conditions, strawberries are being cultivated in the district and sold in markets such as Ghorahi, Tulsipur, and Lamahi. Recognizing the importance of modernizing traditional agriculture, he ventured into strawberry farming in the district. This year, he has expanded his efforts by launching commercial strawberry cultivation on seven ropani of land in Rolpa.
Prithviraj Lamichhane, an agricultural economist and information officer at the Agricultural Knowledge Center, highlighted that selling strawberries daily can generate good returns. However, due to the limited size of the local market, he stressed the importance of proper packaging and transportation. He also cautioned that prolonged storage after harvesting could lead to spoilage, urging farmers to take necessary precautions.
He also noted that the district offers favorable conditions for strawberry cultivation, including a suitable climate, ample water, and fertile soil. “Strawberries thrive in cold regions,” he explained, adding that the current season is ideal for cultivation. While commercial strawberry farming remains limited in the district, some residents have been growing the fruit in pots at home.
