Bethanchowk, Kavre - In a remarkable example of high-altitude farming innovation, Laxman Waiba Tamang of Bethanchowk-2 has successfully cultivated apples in his Alkadanda Agriculture Farm, drawing admiration and curiosity from across the region. The unexpected sight of apple trees laden with ripe fruit in this part of central Nepal has left many surprised - and inspired.
Traditionally, apple cultivation in Nepal has been confined to higher Himalayan regions such as Mustang and Jumla. However, Waiba Tamang’s success in the mid-hill district of Kavre suggests a shift may be underway, as changing climate conditions and adaptive farming practices open new frontiers for fruit farming.
His farm, now a local attraction, stands as a living demonstration of what’s possible through perseverance, local knowledge, and innovation. Speaking to Ecosphere News, Waiba Tamang emphasized the potential of commercial agriculture in Nepal: “If done seriously, farming in our own land can earn just as much as working abroad. We don't have to leave our country to chase opportunity.”
He urged all levels of government - federal, provincial, and especially local - to provide targeted support to genuine farmers through policy reforms, capacity-building trainings, access to loans, and timely subsidies. “If these supports are aligned with farmers’ realities, we can grow gold in every village,” he added. “How long will we keep begging while holding a golden bowl?”
His story underscores the critical need to reimagine Nepal’s agricultural development - one that values local knowledge, empowers farmers, and treats agriculture as a pathway to dignity and prosperity. As the country faces growing youth migration and food import dependency, such success stories may be exactly what Nepal needs to root its future in the soil of self-reliance.
