DHARAN: Kripashwar Ghale Gurung, a retired Indian Army serviceman with 28 years of experience, has found remarkable success in commercial dragon fruit farming in Ranipokhari, Ramdhuni Municipality–7 in Sunsari district.
After establishing the Tarjuma Dragon Fruit Agricultural Farm in 2074 BS, Ghale now earns between Rs 5.5 to 6 million annually from his one-bigha farm.
His journey began more than two decades ago with a single variety plant imported from Malaysia. Initially unaware of its market potential and health benefits, he expanded cultivation as demand and prices increased, turning it into his main source of livelihood.
“I currently have around 250 dragon fruit plants on the farm,” Gurung shared. “Unlike other fruits that bear only once a year, dragon fruit can produce up to nine times annually, ensuring a stable income.”
In addition to fruit sales, Ghale earns from selling plants worth over Rs 400,000 each year. The plants, which once sold for Rs 200–400, now fetch Rs 50–70 depending on demand. Dragon fruit currently sells at Rs 400 per kilogram retail and Rs 350 wholesale.
His farm employs two permanent workers with monthly salaries of Rs 15,000 each and over a dozen seasonal laborers who earn Rs 700 per day, with the workforce expanding during harvest and fertilizer application seasons.
Ghale said the farm’s annual expenses, including labor, tools, and fertilizers, total about Rs 800,000. Last year, he produced 22 metric tons of dragon fruit, while this year’s output exceeded 27 metric tons.
The fruits are supplied to Dharan, Itahari, Inaruwa, Biratnagar, and major markets like Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Hetauda.
Encouraged by Ghale’s success, many local youths have recently taken up dragon fruit cultivation. He believes that agriculture offers strong potential for income generation and employment at the local level, enabling young people to build livelihoods within the country.
Currently, more than 10 households in Ramdhuni Municipality–7 are engaged in dragon fruit farming, including youths who have returned from abroad.
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