BHOJPUR: Sakat Bahadur Rai, a 71-year-old resident of Hatuwagadhi-5, Homtang of Bhojpur, has been earning a steady income through commercial avocado farming.
Despite his age, Rai’s dedication and hard work in cultivating avocados have made him a standout example of agricultural success in the region.
Rai shared that around 20 farms in the area are now engaged in commercial avocado cultivation. His primary motivation, he said, was to make productive use of barren land and promote self-sufficiency in agriculture.
“I’ve taken up avocado farming professionally and am gradually expanding my orchard. I manage to save some money from the sales,” he said.
The avocados grown by Rai are sold not only in local markets but also in major cities including Kathmandu, Biratnagar, Dharan, and Itahari. He emphasized the importance of cultivating perennial crops for long-term income. “If you grow multi-year crops and care for them properly, they can provide income for many years,” he noted.
With increasing support from local government bodies and other agencies, more farmers in Bhojpur are turning to commercial agriculture. However, marketing remains a challenge, especially for those in remote rural areas. Many farmers point to the lack of reliable transportation as a major obstacle in bringing their produce to market.
“There is potential here, but we need better infrastructure and state support for marketing,” said Rai. “If the government helps us connect to markets, commercial farming could thrive even more.”
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