KATHMANDU: Coffee plants in Arghakhanchi have started bearing fruit within just two years, defying the typical three to four-year growth cycle. Pushkar Nath Banjade, a farmer from Sandhikharka Municipality-8, Kimdanda, reported that approximately 300 coffee plants he planted two years ago are now laden with fruit.
Banjade attributes this early harvest to careful preparation of planting pits, the use of organic fertilizer, consistent shade management, and regular care. “I prepared the pits well and used vermicompost. After planting, I paid close attention to providing shade and regular maintenance. That is why they bore fruit in the second year,” he said.
To ensure the plants receive adequate shade, Banjade has planted coffee beneath litchi trees. This approach serves as a model for multi-crop farming, allowing for income from both crops on the same plot of land. Coffee plants are grown on flat sections, while litchi trees are planted along the edges. Banjade believes that this method establishes a base for long-term income. He further noted that the demand for coffee produced in Nepal is increasing in both domestic and international markets.
