DANG: Birendra Khadka, 27, of Jabang Dudilabot, Madi Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa, and Birendra Oli, 31, of Parivartan Rural Municipality-5, have been earning a good income from commercial watermelon farming in Dang.
The two young farmers are cultivating watermelons along the banks of the Babai River in Ghusra, Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City-7.
Once a barren area filled with sand and gravel, the land has now transformed into green farmland. Khadka shared that they are pleased with the unexpectedly good harvest this season.
Khadka, who studied agriculture, said he is committed to pursuing a farming career in his hometown.
“I established an agricultural farm seven years ago with the dream of doing something meaningful in my own community. After teaming up with a friend, we’ve been cultivating watermelons commercially in Ghorahi for the past two years,” he said. The duo operates their business under the name Dang Agromart Agricultural Farm.
They have rented four and a half bighas of land in Ghusra for three months, paying Rs 80,000 for the lease.
Farmer Oli shared that they are currently selling the Ahana, Saraswati, and Bishal varieties of watermelon at Rs 50 per kg, and the Aarohi variety at Rs 70 per kg.
Around 1,000 kg of watermelons are sold daily, and over half of their produce has already been sold this season. Last year, their sales reached Rs 1.2 million, and this year, they have already earned Rs 500,000.
“I’m earning more than I expected,” said Oli. “I chose agriculture to be self-reliant in my own country, and I plan to continue.” However, he noted challenges due to the influx of cheaply imported watermelons.
“If the government restricted foreign imports, it would benefit us and other local farmers,” he said, adding that their organically grown melons, with minimal pesticide use, are popular among consumers.
Arjun KC of Ghorahi-14, who visited Dang Agromart to buy watermelons, said he prefers locally grown melons during the summer and encouraged others to support local products.
“If we can turn barren land into farmland like this, we can become self-reliant. With the right skills and motivation, there’s no need to go abroad,” he said.
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