Key Takeaways:

• Dragon fruit farming is expanding rapidly across Ramechhap
• Farmers are selling the fruit for Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram
• Dry and underproductive land is being converted into orchards
• Recurring harvests and strong demand are driving adoption

RAMECHHAP, OCTOBER 26 Farmers across Ramechhap are increasingly turning to dragon fruit cultivation as the high-value crop transforms dry and underproductive land into a reliable source of income, with orchard-gate prices reaching as high as Rs 350 per kilogram. What began as a niche crop is now expanding across Manthali and Ramechhap municipalities as well as Khandadevi, Gokulganga and Likhu Tamakoshi rural municipalities. Farmers say strong market demand, recurring harvests and low labour requirements are encouraging more growers to switch from traditional crops. For some farmers, the shift was born out of necessity. Dil Bahadur Saki of Manthali-7 said he began cultivating dragon fruit after cereal crops repeatedly failed on his dry farmland. The plants started producing fruit within the first year, offering a more profitable alternative. Others are drawn by the crop's long-term earning potential. Shivaram Shrestha of Ramechhap Municipality-8, who grows dragon fruit on more than one ropani of land, said the plants bear fruit twice a year and enjoy strong consumer demand. Farmers are currently selling directly from orchards for Rs 300 to Rs 350 per kilogram. Many growers are also diversifying their income by combining dragon fruit with marigold flowers, vegetables and other crops, allowing them to earn from the same land throughout the year. As interest grows, dragon fruit is increasingly being seen as a practical solution for Ramechhap's dry landscapes, offering farmers a crop that can withstand challenging conditions while generating better returns than many traditional alternatives.