PALPA: Prem Bahadur Singh Thakuri of Rampur Municipality-5, Palpa, has redefined his identity through coffee farming and entrepreneurship.
Once mocked for his efforts to sell coffee in villages, Thakuri now operates a blossoming business, exporting local coffee to international markets such as Japan, Korea, Germany, UAE, and Malta.
Thakuri’s journey into coffee entrepreneurship began modestly eight years ago when he started cultivating coffee on five ropanis of land in Syangja district.
Despite initial ridicule and a lack of direction in selling his products, his perseverance paid off. Today, he runs his business under the name “Organic Tea and Coffee,” supported by a processing facility at his home. His coffee, known for its quality, has reached major markets in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, and Tansen.
In 2022, Prem invested around Rs 2.5 million to establish his coffee processing enterprise. He purchases and processes both his own harvest and additional yields from local farmers, annually supplying a ton of processed coffee to the market. With certification from the Food and Quality Control Office in Bhairahawa, his coffee meets high standards, further boosting its demand.
Thakuri also contributes to the local agricultural economy by producing coffee seedlings and encouraging villagers to adopt coffee farming. He plans to plant 16,000 new saplings this year, noting that selling seedlings is even more lucrative than processed coffee.
His initiative aligns with Rampur Municipality’s youth self-employment program, which offers financial support and training to entrepreneurs.
Drawing from his eight years of work in a Korean coffee company, Thakuri applied his knowledge of coffee production, processing, and marketing to establish his enterprise.
His determination has not only earned him recognition but has also contributed to promoting local coffee at both national and international levels.
Rampur Municipality, led by Mayor Raman Bahadur Thapa, has supported Thakuri’s efforts through grants, training, and marketing initiatives. The municipality has also facilitated coffee sales through local gift houses.
Agriculture section chief Narayan Prasad Gaire highlighted that the municipality provides interest-free loans up to Rs 1 million to promote youth entrepreneurship.
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