Pratik Lohani, a civil engineer from Teraute, Ward No. 16 of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City in Dang, Nepal, has embarked on a new journey—transforming his ancestral land into a thriving hub for lemon farming. After spending years in the United States for study and work, Lohani returned to Nepal two years ago and began commercial farming on 2.5 acres of land.
His ambitious project centers around cultivating ‘Sun Kagati’ (Golden Lemon), a variety known for its high yield and market value. Last year, Lohani sourced 1,550 saplings from Parbat, Nepal, and planted them on leased land, paying an annual rent of NPR 3,000 per kattha. Though ‘Sun Kagati’ typically starts producing fruit after three years, some of his trees have already begun yielding in just two years. Encouraged by this early success, he is confident that his farm in Nepal will enter full-scale commercial production next year.
Lohani has also taken a sustainable approach by producing organic fertilizer on-site and implementing drip irrigation to optimize water use in the dry region. Recognizing the labor-intensive nature of his venture, he has employed two locals for farm maintenance and plant care, providing them with stable employment in Nepal.
Beyond farming, Lohani envisions transforming ‘Teraute Village’ into a ‘Green Village.’ Alongside lemons, he has also introduced commercial vegetable farming, including tomatoes. His goal is to revitalize underutilized land in Nepal, promote sustainable agriculture, and create economic opportunities for the local community.
Before dedicating himself to agriculture, Lohani worked in Kathmandu, Nepal, balancing teaching responsibilities with a job in a hydropower company. However, he realized that he wanted to build something of his own rather than working solely for others. This mindset led him to commercial farming, where he sees long-term potential in Nepal.
Unlike other crops that are more susceptible to diseases, lemons require less maintenance and offer consistent market demand. This, combined with his sustainable farming practices, gives Lohani confidence that his efforts will contribute to both economic growth and environmental sustainability in Nepal.
Nepal primarily imports lemons and limes from India, which dominates the market with a 93% share of citrus imports. In 2022, Nepal imported a total of $12.6 million worth of citrus fruits, including lemons and limes, a decline from $20 million in 2021. Besides India, other key trading partners supplying citrus fruits to Nepal include Egypt, contributing 4.09% ($571,000), and South Africa, which accounted for 2.15% ($300,000). Singapore also had a minor presence in the import market.
The majority of citrus imports in 2022 comprised fresh or dried oranges, making up 58% ($8.14 million) of the total citrus imports. Lemons and limes followed closely, representing 37% ($5.23 million), while other citrus fruits contributed 4.19% ($585,000). Imports of grapefruit were negligible, amounting to only $43. The heavy reliance on imports, particularly from India, highlights Nepal’s dependency on foreign citrus production to meet domestic demand.
Some parts of this report were contributed by RSS.
Suraj Ghimire
View More PostsSuraj Ghimire is a Nepali journalist and the online editor of Khasokhas. He focuses on political, social, migration, and international issues. He has also worked with various national television networks.
