DAMAULI: Farmers in Tanahun are celebrating as locally produced honey begins reaching international markets, sparking renewed interest in beekeeping.
Himalayan Treasure, a brand of Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., has started purchasing honey from farmers in Shuklagandaki Municipality-1, Thaprek, and Dagam.
In the first phase, 2,100 kg of honey was bought at Rs 2,000 per kg. As part of its corporate social responsibility, the company is also distributing coffee seedlings and promoting diversified agricultural practices to increase farmers’ income sources.
Suraj Wagle, a farmer from Thaprek, said, “It is a matter of pride that our honey has reached the world market. Further expansion will encourage farmers to continue this profession.”
Currently, over 500 farmers in the area are engaged in beekeeping, supported by the National Agricultural Modernization Program, which began with just 10 farmers. Wagle himself has 25 beehives and plans to expand to 200 as both prices and demand rise.
To maintain quality, Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd. tests honey from different flower sources each month. Honey collected from the Katus (chestnut) forest in October was deemed high-quality and suitable for export.
Leading farmer Nanduthapa Magar noted, “The demand abroad is strong. Beekeeping is a key source of income, and marketing internationally will attract more farmers to the sector.”
Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Vice Chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party and MP from Tanahun-1, highlighted Tanahun’s ‘Katus’ honey as a prime example of Nepal’s economic potential. He announced on social media that the honey is now being sold internationally under the ‘Marani Chestnut Honey’ brand, demonstrating that Nepali products can command high value in global markets.
Dr. Wagle also praised Himalayan Treasure for bringing Nepali honey to the world market through quality testing, modern packaging, specialized processing, and effective marketing.
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