Farmer Praveen Ingman Earns 1.2 Million Rupees Annually from Dragon Fruit Cultivation

Ilam. Farmer Praveen Ingman of Chulachuli Rural Municipality-3 in Ilam is currently without leisure. Most of his time is spent tending to the dragon fruit orchard. From sunrise to sunset, he is busy looking after the dragon fruits in Shriantu. The 'Village Agro Farm', established seven years ago, is now recognized as the largest dragon fruit producer and seller in the district. He has earned an annual income of 1.2 million rupees from this cultivation. Ingman, who appeared happy selling the fruits produced from 2,800 plants spread across two bighas, stated that he expects his income to increase this year due to increased production. He has planted Malaysian red dragon fruit on his own land and 38 kattha of leased land. Initially, he started dragon fruit farming on three kattha of land, and as it began to generate significant income with minimal investment, he expanded the cultivation. He informed that he initially planted on three kattha for testing, and as the production was good, he gradually increased it to expand the cultivation to two bighas (40 kattha). He plans to further expand the cultivation next year. There is no problem with the market for the dragon fruits he produces. Businessmen come to the orchard and buy the fruits. The fruits he produces are sold in Birtamod and Damak of Jhapa, Urlabari of Morang, and Ilam bazaar. Fruits are sold from the orchard at Rs 200 to Rs 500 per kilogram depending on the size. Through this farm, he has become self-employed, and he has also provided employment to five local laborers. Ingman says that he started dragon fruit cultivation commercially to send a message that self-employment can be achieved in the village. With less effort and good market prices, other farmers in the locality are also becoming attracted to this cultivation. Mayatimaya Limbu of Budhijhoda, Chulachuli Rural Municipality-2, is also doing commercial dragon fruit farming. She started farming after registering 'Chathare Dragon Fruit Agro Farm' six years ago and has now planted 650 dragon fruit plants on eight kattha of leased land, which have started yielding produce. She shared that last year she earned 125,000 rupees annually from the sale of dragon fruits after deducting all expenses. The government also provides support for the promotion of dragon fruit cultivation in Chulachuli. Ingman's farm received a grant of 400,000 rupees from Chulachuli Rural Municipality in the fiscal year 2080/81 for the promotion of dragon fruit cultivation. Ingman said that the grant helped in orchard management and adding new saplings. Similarly, 'Chathare Dragon Fruit Agro Farm' received a grant of 250,000 rupees with 50 percent cost sharing from the Agriculture Knowledge Center Ilam in the same year for orchard management. Chulachuli Rural Municipality Chairman Rajendra Kerung said that the rural municipality is moving forward with its activities by prioritizing the agricultural sector. He informed that the necessary budget has been allocated to conduct programs to encourage farmers in the coming year. This cultivation is expanding in the lower areas of Ilam's Chulachuli, Mai Municipality, Rong Rural Municipality, Maijogmai Rural Municipality, and Ilam Municipality.