Coffee farming expands in Gulmi

Tilachan Pandey / Gulmi, June 30: Coffee farming is expanding in Gulmi, long recognised as the birthplace of coffee cultivation in Nepal.

Coffee cultivation in Nepal began in 1608 AD when Hira Giri planted coffee seeds brought from the then Burma (now Myanmar) in Aapchaur. Despite its historical significance, Gulmi was known only as the birthplace of coffee cultivation, as commercial production received little attention for many years.

That trend is now changing. Young farmer Shreedhar Pandey is leading efforts to expand commercial coffee farming in Aapchaur of Musikot Municipality–5.

Pandey, who has been cultivating coffee commercially for the past two years through Aapchaur Coffee and Agro Research Pvt. Ltd., has planted coffee seedlings across around 500 ropanis of land. This year alone, he has produced 60,000 coffee seedlings and aims to increase production to more than 150,000 seedlings next year. He has a long-term plan to expand coffee cultivation to at least 5,000 ropanis over the next few years.

According to Nawaraj Pandit, chief of the National Agricultural Modernisation Programme Implementation Unit, Gulmi, the area under coffee cultivation in the district has expanded significantly in recent years through area expansion programmes.

He said modern farming practices have been promoted through the Chaklabandi (land consolidation) system to increase coffee production. The approach is expected to reduce production costs, simplify farm management and improve productivity. The office is providing support throughout the production chain, from cultivation and processing to marketing, Pandit added. Gulmi has played a key role in the development, expansion and promotion of coffee cultivation in Nepal. Recognising the district’s historical importance and future potential, the Coffee Development Board and the Coffee Research Centre have also been established there.

Coffee is currently cultivated on around 270 hectares of land in Gulmi. Since the establishment of the National Agricultural Modernisation Programme Implementation Unit, an additional 150 hectares have been brought under coffee cultivation with its support, while another 40 hectares are expected to be added this year.

Around 1,805 farmers are engaged in coffee farming across the district. Although production has been increasing gradually, it remains insufficient to meet market demand.