KATHMANDU: Farmers in Pathari Sanischare, Morang, are increasingly turning to cashew farming, with a growing interest in cultivating diverse crops like dragon fruit, grapes, kiwi, and avocado. Bhubaneshwar Pokharel, a former teacher aged 75, exemplifies this shift. His daily routine now involves tending to his cashew plants, which he started cultivating three years ago after bringing seedlings from Rishikesh, India. Pokharel has successfully grown cashews on about 3-Kattha land, alongside other crops, and is now a businessman, producing over five kilograms of cashews annually.

Pokharel’s enthusiasm for cashew farming has led him to produce more than 500 seedlings yearly, selling each at Rs 75 locally and even reaching districts like Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, and Tehrathum. The Agriculture Branch of Urlabari Municipality supported this initiative by distributing 150 cashew seedlings to farmers, highlighting the profitability and feasibility of cashew cultivation in Nepal. Cashew plants can thrive at altitudes up to 1,600 meters above sea level and yield substantial income in a short period.

Sabina Rai, chief of the agriculture section, noted that Pathari Sanischare has embraced cash crops like cashews, dragon fruits, grapes, and avocados, which have proven profitable for farmers. The municipality has introduced programs like ‘one ward, one production’ to further support farmers' endeavors. The shift to local cashew production could reduce Nepal’s dependency on imports from India and Vietnam, where cashews worth Rs 58.2 million were imported in the first month of the fiscal year 2023-24.

Cashews are highly valued for their health benefits, nutrition, and market demand, selling for Rs 1600 to Rs 2000 per kilogram. Additionally, the outer shell of cashews, used in making wine and other liqueurs, sells for Rs 1100 per kilogram. Cashew farming not only offers a lucrative alternative for Nepalese farmers but also holds the potential to boost local income and employment significantly.