Gandaki. Around 35 ropanis of land in Tikhedhunga on the banks of Suraudi River in Pokhara Metropolitan City-33 are currently growing watermelons. Locals who have seen watermelons brought to the market from the Terai and India in the past are shocked to see watermelons growing around their own fields.
Gyan Bahadur Karki of Krishti, Metropolitan City-21, and Ramesh Acharya of Bharatpokhari, Pokhara-33 have grown watermelons here. They have grown Saraswati, Red Velorette, Phoenix, Manthana and Raja varieties of watermelons. The melons produced here are now ready to be brought to the market in a few days.
The hard work of Karki, who has accumulated experience in melon farming for a long time, and Acharya, who is passionate about commercial agriculture, has recently become a source of inspiration for others. Pokhara Metropolitan City Economic Development Division Chief Manhar Kadaria said that there is a lot of potential for watermelon farming in the Pokhara region and that two farmers have practically proven it.
Melon farming, which was done in an area of only 10-12 ropanis in the past, has been expanded to about 200 ropanis this year, and the metropolis has provided assistance in seeds and mulching.
Division Chief Kadaria informed that there is increasing interest in this farming in Metropolitan City-13, 23, 30, 32, 33. ‘The taste of locally produced watermelon is also very sweet. This farming, which can produce good yields even in a small area, can become an important basis for economic development, he said.
The Metropolitan City is going to ‘brand’ the Saraswati variety of melons produced in Pokhara and has already prepared ‘stickers’ for its marketing, informed the Division Chief Kadaria. While Nepali youth are constantly going abroad in search of employment, local farmers Acharya and Karki are working with the idea of doing something in their own country. In this situation, their efforts have become exemplary for the youth.
Karki, who spent about 14 years in Europe in the past, has been engaged in commercial agriculture in his own place for the past six years. He is currently using the experience he gained in the agricultural sector in countries including Spain in his native soil.
Karki has grown watermelons at an altitude of about 900 meters in the agricultural sector itself. He said that this is a new experiment. The success he has shown in using new experiments in commercial agriculture has become exemplary for everyone. Karki was also awarded by Pokhara Metropolitan City as a good melon producer last year.
Similarly, Acharya from Bharatpokhari, who studied up to graduation, is currently enjoying commercial agriculture, combining his 10 years of teaching career, three years of foreign employment, and experience as an electrical technician.
Acharya, who has registered the Tikhedhunga Bagmara Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Firm and engaged in commercial agriculture, has been producing commercial vegetables, fruits, and various agricultural products along with animal husbandry in Suraudikhola Tikhedhunga located in Pokhara Metropolitan City-33.
The activity he has shown in animal husbandry along with vegetable farming has also become a good example for others. “The youth are more inclined to go abroad than to do something in their own country. Many people say that there is no market for their products, but if they work hard, there is no problem in the market for the agricultural products they produce. There is no need to go abroad for employment,” said Acharya.
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