Gundu emerges as hub of Makhamali farming
Summary
Farmers in Gundu, Bhaktapur are harvesting Makhamali flowers and making garlands ahead of Tihar, as the area has grown into a major floriculture hub over the past four decades. Local growers say the business now supports hundreds of households despite marketing challenges and weather-related risks.
Key Points
- Farmers in Gundu, Suryabinayak Municipality-7, are harvesting Makhamali flowers and preparing garlands for Tihar demand.
- Commercial floriculture in the area began about four decades ago with the initiative of the late Pahalman Nagarkoti and has expanded into a major source of income for local households.
- Around 500 households are now involved in floriculture in Gundu, with annual flower sales estimated at Rs. 30 to Rs. 40 million.
- Farmers receive local government subsidies, but they still face challenges from middlemen, weather, plant blight, and butterfly infestation.
