A kiwi processing industry has been launched in Toribari village, Marekatahare, Mahalaxmi Municipality-2, Dhankuta. The industry, which was launched with an investment of Rs 100 million, has started processing kiwi fruits and producing wine. The industry, which was launched by businessman Durgamani Poudel, is preparing to launch a wine named 'Tinjure Bagan' in the market from next Falgun.

Poudel returned to his village eight years ago and started kiwi farming. He used to conduct skill-based training in the federal capital Kathmandu. He said that the kiwi garden was expanded by adding to the ancestral land he received as a share. He said, “Manti, Allison, Hayward and other varieties of kiwi are producing well in the garden spread over an area of ​​100 ropanis. I have also started processing since my own production became popular.”

His garden currently produces more than 10 metric tons. He says that he returned to his village with a plan for co-production as the kiwi farming area is expanding in the Koshi Hills district. The industry, which aims to have a turnover of about Rs 300 million annually, is currently processing 40 metric tons of kiwi.

His processing industry can produce 500,000 liters of kiwi wine. But Poudel says that the industry is not fully operational as raw materials, skilled workers and markets are being sought. Local kiwi producers are excited about the start of the processing industry in the village.

Local Til Bahadur Poudel says that farmers who were frustrated by not finding a market have found relief after ‘Tinjure Bagan’ started buying their produce. Til Bahadur himself started commercial production of kiwi fruit in Marekatahare 15 years ago.

Til Bahadur, who is over 80 years old, is known as Kiwi ‘Ba’ in the village. He is happy that the business he started is taking a commercial form. His garden currently produces 15 tons of kiwi. He says that there is no problem in sales after the processing center opened in the village. In the past, he used to send it to Dhankuta Bazaar, Dharan and Damak for sale.

Local kiwi producer Dil Bahadur Magar says that there is no problem in selling his produce after the kiwi processing industry came into operation. ‘When I had good quality, I used to sell the seeds outside,’ says Magar, ‘I used to sell A-grade seeds outside for Rs 80 per kg, and I give it to this industry for up to Rs 70.’

The upper area of ​​Marekatahare in Dhankuta is considered more potential for kiwi fruit production. Seeing the interest of the locals in kiwi farming, the ward and municipality have declared this area as a pocket area and are providing seedlings and technical support to the farmers who want to cultivate it. In Marekatahare village alone, 65/70 farmers are engaged in kiwi production.

The municipality is providing seedlings and technical support after seeing the interest of the locals in kiwi farming. He said that they are motivating farmers to cultivate kiwi by declaring Marekatahare village as a kiwi pocket area. Industry operator Poudel complains that despite the expansion of the kiwi farming area and increase in production, the state's policies and regulations have not become farmer, industry and market-friendly.

According to him, it is necessary to provide access roads, technical services, equipment support and tax concessions to such industries that have opened in remote areas based on local raw materials. His industry is 10 kilometers away from Dahre village on the Koshi Highway between Chitre-Basantapur on a dirt road. He has urged the local, provincial and federal governments to help upgrade the road. He said that the industry, which has come into operation after fulfilling the standards set by the state and paying the prescribed tax, will naturally expect support.

The industry is currently purchasing kiwi produced in Dhankuta, Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Khotang and other districts. 20 people have got part-time and 5 people have got full-time employment in his kiwi orchard and processing industry.

He said that once the industry is operational at full capacity, up to 50 people will get full-time employment and can increase wine production to 500,000 liters of wine annually. Poudel is preparing to bring a wine called 'Tinjure Bagan' to the market from next Falgun. After the Nepali market, he plans to expand the market to the Middle East.