Saud siblings pioneer strawberry farming in Dhangadhi, selling at Rs. 1,000 per kilo

Dhangadhi: Roshan Saud and Dasharath Saud, operators of The Divine 108 Agro Farm in Bangrakatna, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City-9, have ventured into strawberry cultivation, marking a significant milestone for agriculture in the Far West.

After a successful trial last year, the Saud brothers have expanded their cultivation to 12,000 strawberry plants on 10 kattas of land this year. The strawberries, planted in Mangsir, have now begun to bear fruit, with prices ranging between Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000 per kilogram.

“Strawberry production has started, and we are supplying them to the market. We have planted 12,000 plants on 10 kattas, and they are selling at Rs. 800 to Rs. 1,000 per kilo,” said Roshan Saud, emphasizing that this is a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Far West.

According to Saud, Dhangadhi’s climate and soil are well-suited for strawberry farming, provided that proper fertilization, irrigation, and soil management are maintained. Encouraged by last year’s successful trial, they expanded production this season. The market response has been overwhelmingly positive, with strawberries selling out within minutes.

“We sold 25 kilograms in just half an hour at the Dhangadhi market. There is high demand, and we are struggling to meet it. Customers even visit our farm to buy strawberries directly,” Saud added.

The strawberries planted in November have now started ripening, and sales began on Thursday. If the plants continue to bear fruit until Baisakh, each plant is expected to yield up to 2.5 kilograms.

Since strawberries are a new crop for Dhangadhi, the farmers have not faced issues with demand or pricing. However, despite the high potential for growth in the Far West, various challenges persist, according to Saud.

Roshan and Dasharath, both with a background in agricultural studies, started their farming venture last year by leasing land. In addition to strawberries, they cultivate fruits, off-season vegetables, and flowers, contributing to the expansion of commercial farming in the region.