Farmers are becoming increasingly interested in growing dragon fruit, but there aren’t many markets to sell their harvest. The Dragon Fruit Product Association of Koshi Province recently planned a state-level conference to address this problem. They brought the government’s attention to the problem by highlighting that locally grown dragon fruit cannot find a market. Farmers shared their worries about their challenges while trying to sell their dragon fruit because there isn’t a good market.
In Nepal, the number of farmers growing dragon fruit has been rising significantly. Farmers are to this business possibility after 25 years of raising traditional crops like rice. Concerns, including open marketplaces and cold storage facilities, have been the focus of their search for answers.
The government has been asked by Ganesh Rai, the central treasurer of the Dragon Fruit Association Nepal, to put limitations on imported dragon fruit and set up suitable cold storage facilities. Large-scale dragon fruit production has gained popularity among Nepali farmers. Despite a strong fruit crop this year, the product is not fetching a fair price because there is no market. Farmers are concerned and unsure about where to sell their goods.
Jay Bahadur Tamang, the Multiple Agriculture Coordinator of the Eastern Region and the Provincial President of the Dragon Fruit Association, stated his concerns before the arrival of unfavorable weather hurting fruit production and cold storage. He added that the fruit sold at Rs. 700 per kilogram last year, but selling it at Rs. 500 this year has been challenging.
Along with the problems of dragon fruit farming, experts and the association underline the importance of agricultural knowledge and disease management competence. Small-scale farmers confront the challenge of selling their produce at reduced prices in their communities. Small and large-scale farmers have joined the group’s umbrella to explore other selling opportunities to find a solution.
