NAWALPARASI: The slopes of Singchang are now flourishing with lemon trees, blooming and bearing fruit. Deepak Chapagain of Devchuli, who spent many years working in Malaysia, has returned home and is now busy harvesting lemons and sending them to market.
After years of hard work abroad to support his family, Chapagain is turning to agriculture for his future in Nepal.
Chapagain manages an 80-ropani lemon orchard in Singchang, Bulingtar Rural Municipality-4, Nawalparasi East. The project began five years ago when he and Devi Prasad Bhusal of Devchuli planted two thousand lemon trees together to share investment and management responsibilities. While initial production was modest, the orchard is now yielding substantial harvests.
This year alone, Chapagain has already sent 50 quintals of lemons to the market. “I stayed abroad for a long time but never felt at home there. After returning, I explored various businesses, but seeing the potential in lemon farming, I started this venture. Now that the trees have begun to bear fruit, I have hope,” he said.
Chapagain estimates that this year’s total lemon production could reach around 500 quintals. Together with Bhusal, through Safal Agro Farm and Bhusal Agro Farm, they are expanding citrus cultivation.
Bhusal noted that their successful lemon farming has inspired other local farmers, who have planted around 4,000 lemon trees in the area. The Singchang region is rapidly becoming a hub for lemon production, with seedling nurseries supplying lemon and orange plants to farmers.
So far, more than Rs 10 million has been invested in lemon farming, creating jobs for three permanent workers and several seasonal laborers. Orange cultivation is also underway in nearby Boudikali Rural Municipality.
According to Kul Prasad Tiwari, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Nawalpur, about 150 farmers are engaged in lemon cultivation across the district, with over 50,000 seedlings planted. The district is expected to produce approximately 500 metric tons of lemons this year. Orange farming is also gaining momentum.
Lemon cultivation in Nawalpur is supported by the Fruit Zone Development Program under the National Agriculture Modernization Program.
Senior Agriculture Officer Devi Prasad Adhikari reported that farmers receive subsidies for nursery management, plants, and pest control medicines, boosting cultivation efforts.
Despite production gains, farmers express concern about low market prices. Lemons are currently sold at around Rs 85 per kg, which is considered low. Adhikari emphasized the need for initiatives to secure better prices for growers.
To address marketing challenges, efforts are underway to expand sales beyond local markets to cities like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Chitwan, helping farmers access broader demand.
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