Ghanteshwar seed bank achieves annual turnover of Rs 1.15 crores

Dhangadhi: The Ghanteshwar Community Seed Bank in Gaira, Jorayal Rural Municipality-1, Doti, has reported an annual turnover of Rs 1.15 crores, contributing to the conservation and commercialization of local seed varieties.

The seed bank, operating under the Biodiversity Conservation Agricultural Cooperative, is engaged in the preservation, reproduction, and sale of indigenous seeds. According to Ganesh Bahadur Bista, a representative of the cooperative and the seed bank, their business has been thriving through the sale of local seeds and agricultural products.

The cooperative markets a variety of products, including farsi (pumpkin), choto, pindalu (taro), yam, local kalau (black gram), and lemongrass in Jorayal. Additionally, it generates around Rs 35,000 annually from the sale of fruit and grass seedlings. Local corn, potatoes, and other seeds are also distributed through the seed bank.

Bista highlighted that the cooperative operates its sales and distribution center in Gaira, about 100 kilometers from Dhangadhi, ensuring that locally produced seeds and agricultural goods reach the market. "Our goal is to preserve, produce, and market local agricultural products," he said, adding that the cooperative also runs a nursery and plans to expand into vegetable seedling production.