Pokhara Metropolitan City to Expand Watermelon Cultivation to Nearly 800 Ropanis This Year

Kaski. Watermelon cultivation is set to expand to approximately 800 ropanis in Pokhara Metropolitan City this year.

The expansion is occurring as Pokhara Metropolitan City moves forward with programs, including subsidies, to attract local farmers towards watermelon farming. Manahar Kadariya, Chief of the Agriculture Development Branch of the Metropolitan City, stated that watermelon cultivation is increasing in various parts of Pokhara in recent years and informed that efforts are underway to advance this commercially.

“The attraction towards watermelon farming is growing,” he said, “This year, watermelon cultivation is planned across about 800 ropanis in the Pokhara area.” He further informed that seeds were distributed to farmers at a subsidized rate for 300 ropanis this year, adding that farmers are also undertaking cultivation on a large area by purchasing seeds themselves, beyond the subsidized amount. The Metropolitan City provides a 50 percent subsidy on seeds and mulching materials.

Last year, watermelon cultivation was carried out on nearly 200 ropanis in areas like Wards Number 13, 14, and 33 of Pokhara Metropolitan City, resulting in a transaction worth approximately NPR two crore. The Metropolitan City also organizes watermelon fairs to encourage farmers towards this sector. The Metropolitan City has set a minimum support price of NPR 35 per kilogram for producing farmers. Kadariya informed that the Saraswati variety of watermelon is predominantly cultivated in Pokhara.