SURKHET: Farmers in Ramghat, Bheriganga Municipality of Surkhet, have increasingly turned to commercial litchi cultivation, shifting away from traditional maize farming.
Encouraged by better returns and government support, locals have begun planting litchi and mango trees in their fields, backyards, and courtyards.
Litchi and mango are emerging as high-value cash crops in the area. Over the past few years, farmers have observed that fruit farming yields better income than maize, prompting a noticeable change in agricultural practices.
Currently, farmers across the village are busy harvesting litchis, with ladders in hand as they climb trees daily to collect the fruit.
Rupa Dhaulakoti, a 46-year-old farmer from Ramghat-11, shared that she earns hundreds of thousands of rupees annually from litchi production alone.
She has cultivated 30 litchi and 150 mango trees across four bighas of land. “The mango yield was affected by strong winds and storms this year, but the litchis thrived,” she said.
According to Dhaulakoti, litchis are sold directly from the tree at Rs. 100 to Rs. 150 per kilogram. Buyers visit the farm themselves, eliminating the need for farmers to transport produce to market.
“I earn over Rs. 100,000 a year from litchis alone. It covers my household expenses and allows me to save,” she added. She also noted that consumers are increasingly preferring local fruit due to concerns about excessive pesticide use in imported produce.
Like Dhaulakoti, Tek Bahadur Dhamala, another farmer from Ramghat-11, is actively harvesting litchis. Dhamala cultivates the fruit on five ropanis of land and reported earning close to one lakh rupees this year, despite a lower yield due to pest issues.
“Litchi farming is profitable. With proper irrigation, fertilization, and care, it grows well and fetches a good price,” he said, noting a rise in demand.
In Ramghat, nearly every household now has two to four litchi trees, with a growing number of farmers moving toward commercial production.
“Many in the village are expanding into litchi farming because it requires relatively low initial investment and the market is accessible,” Dhamala added. He credited government support—such as the provision of fertilizers, technical assistance, and market linkage—for increasing farmers’ interest.
Currently, litchis from Ramghat are sold locally as well as in Birendranagar, Nepalgunj, and Dang. According to Suraj BC, Head of the Agricultural Development Branch of Bheriganga Municipality, Wards 11 and 13 are the primary hubs of litchi and mango production.
He also noted that the soil and climate in Wards 12, 7, and 8 are equally favorable for expanding fruit cultivation.
A variety of fruits are now grown commercially in Ramghat. Mangoes are cultivated on 29.9 hectares, bananas on 16 hectares, lemons on 7.8 hectares, litchis on 13.5 hectares, and oranges on 3.1 hectares. Nearly 80 percent of this agricultural land lies within Wards 11 and 13.
To further support fruit farming, Bheriganga Municipality is offering subsidies to encourage local cultivation.
“This year, we are continuing the program to provide litchi, mango, and lemon saplings at a 50 percent subsidy to individual farmers, groups, cooperatives, and agri-firms,” said BC. “Our focus is on improving orchards and expanding fruit production areas.”
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