Around 1,500 kg of kiwis brought by five farmers from Nakote, Helambu Rural Municipality, were put up for sale at the festival organized at the Farmers' Bazaar in Bouddha, Kathmandu.
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A kiwi festival has been held in Kathmandu as an effort to find a direct market for kiwis produced by farmers in Helambu.
About 1,500 kg of kiwi brought by five farmers from Helambu Rural Municipality-Nakote were put up for sale at the festival organized on Saturday at the farmers' market in Boudha, Kathmandu.
Organized in coordination with the Boudha Farmers' Market Management Committee and the Just Nepal Foundation, the festival attempted to directly connect rural farmers and urban consumers, said Bangdi Dorje Sherpa, a farmer from Nakote. 'Around 200 kg of kiwi was sold in a single day at the festival, which was held with the aim of promoting local organic products,' he said.
According to Sherpa, who has planted more than 1,000 kiwi plants on 15 ropanis of land in the mountainous village of Nakote, along with kiwi, products such as potatoes, beans, squash, shiitake mushrooms, bananas and lemons were also brought for sale.
This initiative is considered the first direct market relationship between Helambu and Kathmandu. According to farmer Pema Lama, who has been cultivating kiwi in seven ropanis, kiwi was sold at Rs 225 per kilo. 'This type of market arrangement provides farmers with fair prices and also provides fresh produce to urban consumers,' he said, 'it is necessary to continue it.'
Traditionally known for apple, potato and radish production, kiwi has been cultivated in Helambu in recent years. Due to its altitude of about 2,500 meters, suitable soil and climate, Helambu is considered a potential area for kiwi production. Although production is increasing, lack of market access has been the main challenge for farmers.
Such direct market initiatives are expected to be effective in breaking the situation of being forced to sell at low prices through middlemen. According to the organizers, In the coming days, there are plans to expand this initiative into a farmer-owned agribusiness and develop a regular market system.
