MYAGDI: Kiwi farming, which began as a small-scale trial a decade ago in Bhakimli, Beni Municipality-3, has now transformed into a thriving agricultural enterprise and a source of hope for the village’s youth.
What started in 2015 with just 50 saplings brought from Kathmandu by Padam Bahadur Pun, Laxu Pun, and Prithvi Prasad Pun, has now grown into a commercial venture covering over 400 ropanis of land.
The trial plantations began bearing fruit after six years, encouraging more farmers in the area to adopt kiwi cultivation. In 2015, the ward office initiated a campaign called “One House, Five Kiwis,” sparking a wave of interest among residents.
Since then, kiwi farming has expanded rapidly in villages like Bhakimli, Chinakhet, Dandakhani, Chaap, Sim, Matkena, Bhukbhuke, Dole, and Musung.
Ward Chairman Padam Bahadur Pun shared that more than 5,000 kiwi plants have now been planted in the Bhakimli area alone. “Kiwi has been promoted as a major crop in the locality,” he said.
“The ward and municipality have been providing subsidies on seedlings, poles, wires, and irrigation facilities. We are encouraging farmers to adopt kiwi as an alternative to traditional food crops on arable land.”
Farmers have registered cooperatives and firms, both individually and collectively, with the goal of branding the entire village as a “kiwi village.”
The Beldhunga Farmers Group has planted 1,200 kiwi saplings on its own. Among the lead farmers are Lal Bahadur Pun with 300 plants, Laxu Pun with 250, and Lal Bahadur Gharti with 250 plants.
Youth from the village have also begun planting kiwi in fields previously used for millet and maize. Currently, more than 50 farmers in the ward are engaged in kiwi cultivation.
According to Akriti Dhungana, Agriculture Officer at Beni Municipality, Bhakimli has been officially declared a “kiwi pocket area” due to the growing popularity and success of kiwi farming.
“In fiscal year 2081/82, we allocated Rs 1.2 million from the municipal budget for kiwi pocket area expansion, with farmers contributing 50 percent of the cost,” she said.
“In past years, we supported kiwi cultivation through the fruit farming promotion program. This year, through the pocket area initiative, we’ve managed to invest over Rs 2.4 million, combining funds from the municipality and the farmers. This has helped turn Bhakimli into a prosperous kiwi-producing region.”
As part of the program, 250 new saplings were planted this year. A total of 702 poles and wires have been installed to support the growing vines, along with the distribution of seven irrigation drums and pipes to improve water access.
The Ward Office, Beni Municipality, and the Agricultural Knowledge Center continue to provide technical and financial assistance for the expansion.
“The expansion of the kiwi pocket area has created excitement among farmers,” said Ratna GC, a local farmer and ward member. “It’s motivating more youth to stay in the village and pursue agriculture as a long-term livelihood.”
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