Rolpa: Birendra Khadka, 27, from Jabang Dudilabot, Madi Rural Municipality-1, and Birendra Oli, 31, from Parivartan Rural Municipality-5, are successfully earning a significant income through watermelon farming. The young farmers are cultivating watermelons on the banks of the Babai River in Ghusra, located in Ghorahi Sub-metropolitan City-7.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Khadka and Oli have been engaged in commercial watermelon farming for the past two years. They are also conducting their business through Dang Agromart Agricultural Farm. The varieties of watermelons they grow include Ahana, Saraswati, and Bishal, which are sold at Rs 50 per kg, and Aarohi, which is priced at Rs 70 per kg. Currently, they sell around 1,000 kilograms of watermelon daily and have already sold more than half of their total produce. Last year, their turnover reached Rs 1.2 million.
Khadka mentioned that if the government could restrict the import of watermelons from foreign countries, it would provide a more favorable environment for local farmers like him.