Watermelon farming expands in Kundahar in Pokhara metropolis

GANDAKI: Watermelon farming initiated in Kundahar in Pokhara Metropolitan City has expanded. Farmers have collectively grown watermelons over 14 ropanis of land, while individual farmers have cultivated the fruit in various locations.

This year’s watermelon farming has excited local cultivators and increased the potential for the crop, said Milan Adhikari, associate secretary of the Suryachandra Farmers Group. He expressed confidence that many farmers here will engage in watermelon cultivation next year.

Meanwhile, the farmer school for integrated pest management (IPM) in Kundahar, aimed at supporting the farmers of Pokhara-13 and 14, has proven effective in watermelon farming. Adhikari stated that the direct supervision and field training provided by agricultural technicians, which supports the commercialisation of production from seed to market, has offered a valuable opportunity to learn about watermelon farming through the school.

According to Uma Pun, the agricultural technician for Pokhara Metropolis, practical studies and research take place with farmers every Sunday over the 17‑week duration of the training course.

Bishwaraj Sapkota, chairman of the group, said that approximately 5,500 kilograms of watermelons harvested from the IPM farmer school have already been supplied to the market, with preparations underway to take the remaining produce there as well.

Manahar Kadariya, head of the Agriculture Development Branch for watermelon farming at Pokhara Metropolitan City, said that watermelon farming, previously conducted only as a general trial in Pokhara, has expanded this year to cover an area of 200 ropanis. He said that the Sweet Honey variety of watermelon was also tested alongside the Saraswati variety at the IPM farmer school, noting that the Saraswati variety is suitable for Pokhara and its surrounding areas, while the Sweet Honey variety is tastier than others.

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