Kiwi blossoms in Toribari village (Photo Feature)

By Kabiraj Ghimire, Hile,  Nov 19: Durga Mani Poudel of Marekatahare, Mahalaxmi Municipality-2, Dhankuta, has started a kiwi processing business with an investment of Rs 100 million. With this, the hassle of farmers in Dhankuta, along with the hills of Koshi, ended. 

Poudel commenced the business to utilize the Kiwis produced in the village.

Basantapur Tinjure Brewery has started producing Tinjure Kiwi Garden Wine by building a kiwi processing factory in Toribari village, spending about 100 million rupees.

He migrated to Kathmandu from his home place, Marekatahare, in the year 1998. But after 20 years, he returned to the village and engaged in the Kiwi processing. 

Even though the process was commenced in the year, the production was started just a year ago. 

He said that he started the business to ease the farmers of all districts of Eastern Hills and to create employment opportunities. 

The preparations in 2017 are to bring the production to market in February. Around 40,000 liters are produced in the factory now. The full capacity is 300,000 liters and the aim is to bring it fully fledged within three years. 

The factory has estimated to utilize 500 tons of Kiwi after reaching full-fledged. 

Mahalaxmi Municipality has announced this area as the 'Kiwi pocket area.