PAX EARTH DISTRIBUTES OVER 500 FRUIT SAPLINGS TO ENHANCE FRUIT GARDENS FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED FARMERS IN KOT TIMAL AND POUDELTHOK

Pax Earth has been implementing the Fruit Garden project in Kot Timal village since January 2020, and in Poudelthok village since February 2023. The primary objective of the project is to establish sustainable household level fruit gardens that improve the long-term income and well-being of farmers.

On August 22, 2025, a Pax Earth team led by President Sujan Koirala, accompanied by Secretary Manohar Sapkota, board member Bhagawati Pandey Thapaliya, members Debraj Ghimire and Dev Raj Karki, horticulturist Ramhari Prasad Upadhyay, and well-wisher Suraj Dulal, travelled to Poudelthok and Kot Timal located at Ward no. 5 in Namobuddha Municipality, Kavre. They distributed over 500 summer fruit saplings to about 50 underprivileged farmers as part of the ongoing Fruit Garden project. The saplings included 263 lemons, 218 oranges, 21 avocados, and 3 kumquats.

At Kot Timal, 422 saplings were distributed (260 lemon, 143 orange, 16 avocado, and 3 kumquat) to 34 farmers—each receiving between 2 and 30 saplings based on individual demand. The beneficiary farmers include Uddhav Koirala (10 lemons and 10 oranges), Bishnu Koirala (10 lemons), Devraj Khakurel (30 lemons), Ramhari Khakurel (5 lemons and 2 oranges), Pramod Koirala (5 lemons), Surendra Koirala (5 oranges), Ramesh Khakurel (5 lemons), Hari Sharan Koirala (15 lemons and 5 oranges), Binod Koirala (10 lemons and 2 oranges), Bishnu Pd. Khakurel (25 lemons and 5 oranges), Januka Koirala (4 lemons, 7 oranges, and 3 kumquats), Ram Koirala (10 lemons), Bhairav Bd. Koirala (2 lemons and 2 oranges), Lal Man Tamang (5 lemons and 4 oranges), Bishnu Raj Bhandari (6 lemons and 4 avocados), Sudarshan Bhurtel (5 oranges and 2 avocados), Ningmar Tamang (4 oranges), Shiva Pd. Pandey (20 oranges), Kumar Koirala (20 lemons), Narayan Pandey (10 lemons and 10 avocados), Uttam Bd. Badal (30 oranges), Keshav Koirala (20 lemons and 1 orange), Dhandwoj Tamang (10 lemons), Ram Bd. Koirala (3 lemons), Santosh Kuinkel (20 lemons and 6 oranges), Bhim B. Tamang (18 lemons and 7 oranges), Sanu Kanchha Magar (5 lemons), Durga Nepali (2 lemons and 4 oranges), Subba Singh Tamang (2 oranges), Maina Tamang (5 lemons and 2 oranges), Maila (Sonam) Tamang (3 lemons and 4 oranges), Buddha Man Tamang (11 lemons and 5 oranges), and Rabindra Bhandari (1 lemon and 1 orange).

At Poudelthok, 80 saplings (72 orange, 3 lemon, and 5 avocado) were handed to 14 farmers—each receiving between 3 and 24 saplings based on individual demand. The beneficiary farmers include Panja Tamang (5 oranges), Bijuli Tamang (5 oranges), Subba Singh Tamang (10 oranges), Dipendra Pd. Poudyal (20 oranges and 4 avocados), Premhari Poudel (3 oranges), Ramhari Poudel (3 oranges), Achyout Pd. Poudel (5 oranges), Ramchandra Regmi (3 lemons and 1 avocado), Bishnu Bd. Tamang (5 oranges), Kanchhi Tamang (5 oranges), Sameer Tamang (5 oranges), Maya Tamang (5 oranges), Somarani Tamang (3 oranges), and Pancha Singh (3 oranges). Additionally, 3 orange saplings were handed to farmer Durga Pd. Mainali in Kanpur.

FRUIT SAPLINGS DISTRIBUTION BY LOCATION

During the distribution, farmers interacted with horticulturist Upadhyay to discuss pest and disease management. He offered practical advice on how to address common issues.

Following the sapling distribution in Kot Timal, we conducted a demonstration planting at farmer Januka Koirala’s homestead to showcase best cultivation practices. Under horticulturist Upadhyay’s guidance, Koirala prepared a planting pit measuring 2.5 feet by 2.5 feet, combining three layers of organic compost, wood ash, mustard seed cake, and soil. She then planted a kumquat sapling, watered it thoroughly, and mulched around it using dried leaves and weeds. This approach enhances soil health by retaining moisture, adding essential nutrients, suppressing weeds, and promoting vigorous plant growth.

The lemon and avocado saplings are seedling fruit trees, whereas the orange and kumquat saplings are grafted. We anticipate that the lemon seedlings will begin bearing fruit in the third year after planting, the orange and kumquat saplings in the second year, and the avocado seedlings in the sixth year. These high-quality saplings and seedlings will significantly contribute to the long-term income generation and nutritional security of the beneficiary farmers.

Since the Fruit Garden project began in Kot Timal and Poudelthok, demand for fruit trees has grown each year. Over the past five years, we’ve observed that kiwi, apple, lemon, orange, citrus, avocado, and pear are well suited to farming in Kot Timal, while orange, lemon, and avocado are particularly suitable for Poudelthok.

During the field visit, the Pax Earth team also inspected some fruit gardens and observed fruits in kiwi, citrus, and orange trees, indicating a promising harvest in the coming months.

Once farmers establish sustainable fruit gardens on their farmland, they will not only enjoy fresh, nutritious fruits but also generate income through the sale of surplus produce. The overall beauty of the village will be enhanced, and the planted trees will help mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen.

This project is a small yet significant contribution to the environment. Pax Earth remains dedicated to planting more trees and nurturing greener livelihoods across the Kot Timal region—year after year. Our vision is a clean, green, and sustainable earth.

Reported by PEN Secretariat!