Community forest users rue over lack of market for lemons

By Siraj Khan

Nepalgunj, Nov. 7: Consumers in Nibuwatar, Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality—7, Banke, are concerned that the lemons produced by the Kusumya Community Forest User Group struggle to find a market.

Kashi Ram Chaudhary, Chairman of the community forest, said that consumers who had hoped for sales of the lemons ripening in abundance on the trees, are now disappointed due to the lack of demand. He added, “If these lemons could be sold, it would generate good income for the forest users and benefit the forest committee.”

The community forest users’ committee has requested local authorities to facilitate the sale and distribution of the lemons produced in the forest. Chaudhary explained that they have contacted the local government, asking for assistance in market facilitation to help the forest users who are facing difficulties due to the unsold lemons.

This year, around 1,000 kilograms of lemons were harvested for the first time in the forest. Amar Gharti Magar, a user of the forest, said that the local lemons have struggled to find market due to competition from lemons imported from India.

Ram Lakhan Tharu, Ward Chair of Rapti Sonari - 7, expressed joy at seeing the lemon harvest in the forest, which was grown with support from non-governmental organisations. He said the ward would work to promote the local lemons in the market.

Binod Ghimire, head of the Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Banke, stressed that all stakeholders should work together to market the lemons produced in the community forest. 

The forest user committee said that lemon cultivation was started to create employment and provide income-generating opportunities for the targeted and economically disadvantaged groups in the forest's surrounding areas.

The forest, supported by Big Group and RW organisations, has planted 1,597 seedlings in 1.7 hectares of land, including 335 grafted lemon trees, 575 lemon seeds, 62 sugar plants, 150 black plum trees and 475 wood apple trees.