Salyan farmers earn Rs. 230mn from Timur cultivation

By Pratik Ichchhuk Sharma,Salyan, Jan. 27: Farmers in Salyan have been involved in timur (Sichuan pepper) cultivation as a key source of income. Last year alone, the district produced and sold 385,000 kilograms of timur, generating a total income of Rs. 230 million.

According to Lalit Jung Khadka, Information Officer at the Division Forest Office, Salyan, this year, 106,000 kilograms of timur has already been exported. Around 100 farmers in the district have registered farms for commercial timur cultivation, alongside cultivation in community forests.

Commercial timur farming has significantly improved the lives of farmers. In addition to providing substantial income, it has positively impacted the environmental balance. Kirti Bahadur Oli from Chhatreshwori Rural Municipality-2 shared that the increasing market demand for timur has encouraged more farmers to take up its cultivation. Oli reported earning Rs. 570,000 from 250 timur plants on his land. The timur produced in the district has a strong market, with prices reaching up to Rs. 700 per kilogram. Graded timur sells for Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 1,600 per kilogram. 

It is exported to cities across Nepal and even to countries like France and Germany through various companies.

Karna Bahadur Budhathoki, Mayor of Bangad Kupinde Municipality, said that the municipality is focused on promoting and expanding timur farming, as its export to France and Germany has opened international markets. Efforts are also underway to obtain organic certification to further streamline the market.

Salyan’s climate is highly suitable for timur cultivation. Dr. Mitra Pathak, the Chief of the Plant Research Office in Kapurkot, Salyan, said that the Department of Plant Resources has prioritised timur and introduced several related programmes. 

The department has identified 33 medicinal plants, including timur, for prioritised cultivation, signalling the potential for similar ventures in herbal farming.

As timur farming drives economic prosperity, its impact on farmers' livelihoods has been transformative. The dream of establishing Salyan as a hub for herbal production is gradually becoming a reality.