GULMI: Farmers in Gulmi are increasingly turning to kiwi cultivation, drawn by its profitability and suitability to the local climate.
One such example is 56-year-old Yama Bahadur Thapa of Barse, Satyawati Rural Municipality–8, who has been earning a substantial income through commercial kiwi farming.
Traditionally, farmers in the area cultivated maize and sorghum, but Thapa’s fields now showcase thriving kiwi plants. He earns more than Rs 600,000 annually from kiwi farming alone.
Thapa, who is also a ward member of Satyawati–8, began commercial cultivation 11 years ago and now grows six varieties—Yellison, Hayward, Red, Golden, Bruno, and Monty—on eight ropanis of land.
Barse is regarded as an ideal location for kiwi farming due to its favorable climate and topography. Last year, Thapa earned around Rs 600,000 from kiwi fruit and seedlings, and he expects even higher returns this year. His orchard now has 150 kiwi trees, each producing between 50 kilograms to one quintal of fruit annually.
Thapa initially invested Rs 800,000 in infrastructure such as wires, poles, and irrigation pipes. “That investment has lasted until now,” he said. “Since kiwi is a perennial plant, you can keep earning for up to 50 years after planting once. I’m very satisfied with this farming.”
He added that kiwifruit is less prone to disease than other fruits and requires only biannual pruning. “I’ve been using only organic manure like cow dung, and production has improved steadily,” he said.
The locally produced kiwifruit sells for Rs 200 to Rs 300 per kilogram, reaching markets in Palpa and Butwal. Thapa has also diversified his enterprise by producing kiwi wine, which he says is in high demand. In addition, he operates a kiwi nursery with about 8,000 seedlings, each selling for Rs 150 to Rs 200.
To promote the crop, Satyawati Rural Municipality has declared Barse village a “kiwi pocket area.” The municipality provides farmers with technical training, tunnels, nursery support, and grants for seedlings, said Tikaram Pandey, chairperson of the rural municipality.
Among the cultivated varieties, golden and red kiwis are considered the best and fetch about Rs 100 more per kilogram than other types. Golden kiwis have received particularly good prices this season.
Currently, there are five kiwi farming groups in Barse involving about 80 farmers, each growing between 10 and 150 plants. Altogether, kiwi cultivation now spans 40 hectares in the area.
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