Dhankuta farmers boost income through commercial flower farming

Farmers in Dhankuta, Nepal, are expanding commercial flower cultivation to meet high demand during the upcoming Tihar festival.

The region is currently covered in marigolds, which provide both aesthetic beauty to the rural landscape and a significant source of income for local growers. Khagendra Paudel of Chhathar Jorpati Rural Municipality manages a farm where he has planted marigolds on 10 ropanis of land.

He plans to produce approximately 10 tons of flowers this year, selling them to markets in local towns and distant cities like Kathmandu and Butwal. Paudel noted that while he faces production challenges like mold and pests in the hilly terrain, the high market demand keeps him optimistic. Prawin Pokhrel, another farmer in Dhankuta Municipality, aims to earn about 200,000 Nepalese rupees from one ropani of land this year.

He expressed concern over competition from imported Indian flowers and the prevalence of artificial garlands in the market. Pokhrel urged the government to regulate the uncontrolled import of foreign flowers to help domestic farmers secure a better market share. The Agriculture Knowledge Center Dhankuta reports that flower cultivation covers at least 51 ropanis in the district, with an estimated production of 6 metric tons this year.

Govindprasad Acharya, the head of the center, stated that farmers have earned between 50,000 and 3.5 million Nepalese rupees from flower production. While the center provides technical support, the growing interest in flower farming is viewed as a positive development for the local economy.