Learning Center for citrus & fruit farming established in Baikunthe
According to Ward Chairperson Ekaraj Acharya, the center was set up using a budget of Rs 1.5 million allocated in the previous fiscal year.
KATHMANDU: A new learning center focusing on orange, lemon, and other fruit cultivation has been established in Baikunthe to provide practical training and agricultural skills to local farmers engaged in commercial fruit farming.
According to Ward Chairperson Ekaraj Acharya, the center was set up using a budget of Rs 1.5 million allocated in the previous fiscal year.
The area’s favorable climate, soil, and geography for citrus farming were key factors behind the initiative.
The center aims to equip farmers with hands-on knowledge and skills related to advanced farming techniques. “Many farmers in Baikunthe are involved in commercial citrus and fruit farming,” said Chairperson Acharya. “However, lack of proper knowledge and training has posed challenges. This center was established to address that gap.”
In addition to the learning center, a nursery has also been established with active participation from local farmers. Rajendra Kumar Rai, a local resident, shared that orange saplings are being produced in two tunnel houses. These saplings will be distributed among local farmers.
Rai emphasized the importance of having such a facility locally: “It has become much easier for us to gain practical agricultural knowledge here in our own area. We’re learning about modern cultivation methods under the supervision of agricultural technicians. We’re also being trained to identify and manage diseases and pests affecting orange and lemon crops.”
Dhiraj Thakur, Head of the Agriculture Division of the rural municipality, said the center regularly conducts practical training sessions for farmers. “We bring farmers together and provide hands-on training on disease and pest management and other farming techniques,” he said. “The training approach has proven to be highly effective and beneficial for the farmers.”
This initiative is seen as a major step towards sustainable and self-reliant fruit farming in the region, helping farmers boost productivity and reduce dependency on external sources for saplings and expertise.
