Amriso Cultivation Becomes Major Income Source in Nawalpur's Hilly Areas

Nawalpur. Amriso cultivation is becoming a major source of income for the residents of the hilly areas of Nawalpur (Bardaghat Susta East) Nawalpur. Farmers who turned to Amriso cultivation as other crops do not grow well in the hilly terrain have started earning good income from it.

Amriso cultivation is being done in the hilly areas of the district's Hupsekot, Baudikali, Bulingtar, Gaindakot, Madhyabindu, and Binayi Triveni rural municipalities. As Amriso cultivation in leased forests has been encouraged through the Division Forest Office Nawalpur, the hillsides have not only become green but have also become a reliable basis for the income generation of the local residents. District Supervisor of Leased Forest Development Program Nawalpur, Tul Bahadur Rana, said that 121 groups in the district are cultivating Amriso through leased forests.

The Division Forest Office has been distributing saplings for Amriso cultivation free of cost. Inspired by this, locals have been attracted to commercial Amriso cultivation by joining leased forest groups. Amidst limited income-generating options in the hilly areas, Amriso cultivation has now become an important economic basis of rural life.

District Supervisor Rana said that farmers who cultivated Amriso in Nawalpur produced and sold 301 metric tons of Amriso this season. He informed that farmers earned Rs 16.572 million from it.

Before the start of Amriso cultivation, the hillsides were only covered with bushes and barren land. Later, locals started planting Amriso saplings along with cleanliness campaigns. The Division Forest Office provided support for planting saplings. Now, that Amriso has become the main source of income for many families. Yam Bahadur Barghare, chairman of Daitegaura Leased Forest Group Hupsekot, said that locals manage their household expenses for the whole year from Amriso sales.

He said that Amriso cultivation is done in groups. He said that it generates good income.