Musikot grows 140 tonnes garlic worth Rs. 16 million

BY RAJU LAMICHHANE,Rukum West, May 17: This year, Ward No. 10 of Musikot Municipality in Rukum West has recorded its highest-ever garlic production. According to the ward office, a total of 140 metric tonnes of garlic has been harvested, generating an income of approximately Rs. 16 million.

Ward Chairman Dhana Bahadur Khadka said that garlic equivalent to 15 truckloads has been produced and preparations are underway to transport it to market. Based on the current market price, which averages around Rs. 120 per kilogram, the total value of the garlic is estimated at approximately Rs. 16.8 million. Some of the garlic has also been set aside by farmers for household use.

Chairman Khadka said that some traders have already contacted them to purchase the garlic. He added that the ward is preparing to sell the produce by determining a price based on last year’s rates and current national market demand. Most farmers in this ward, which is divided into four settlements, engage in garlic farming. Last year, the ward sold 450 quintals of garlic at rates ranging from Rs. 120 to Rs. 125 per kilogram.

Currently, local farmers are busy harvesting, cleaning and drying the garlic. Garlic farmer Khim Bahadur Oli said that villagers are overwhelmed with the work of harvesting due to time constraints. With maize planting season beginning from mid-May, there is pressure to clear the fields quickly. Oli said he had planted three quintals of garlic seeds and harvested about 25 quintals. If he can sell all of it, he expects to earn a good income and plans to expand cultivation next year.

Earn in village, enjoy at home

The ward has prioritised agricultural programmes under the slogan ‘Earn in the village, enjoy at home.’ It provides subsidised seeds for garlic, cardamom and onions and also facilitates market access. Additionally, the ward supports the cultivation of fruit trees such as lemons and oranges. Under the leadership of the ward office, traders from various cities have been visiting farms directly to purchase agricultural produce.

Chairman Khadka said that the ward coordinates with different government offices to help with seeds and technical expertise. He said that increased production has been possible due to market assurance through coordination with traders from different areas. The municipality has even proposed to declare this ward a designated ‘Garlic Production Pocket Area.’

The ward expects that continued success in agricultural production and marketing will play a crucial role in its economic development. Farmers have said that having a local cold storage facility would ease both production and marketing challenges.