Rabi Nepal, a farmer from Mechinagar Municipality-4, Bahundangi, has become a pioneer in modern mixed farming by cultivating 27 different species of cash crops on 12 bighas of land. Nepal grows a variety of cash crops such as tea, rubber, agarwood, amla, jackfruit, and bay leaves all within the same land. He plans to introduce coconut farming as an intercropped species within his tea gardens, aiming to add a new dimension to agricultural tourism and production.
April 13, Jhapa. Rabi Nepal of Mechinagar Municipality-4, Bahundangi, has set an example in modern mixed farming by planting 27 species of cash crops together on a single plot of land. Engaged in commercial agriculture for 13 years, he has optimized every inch of his 12 bighas through diverse intercropping methods.
Starting his agricultural journey with tea cultivation, Nepal now simultaneously cultivates tea, rubber, agarwood, amla, jackfruit, bay leaves, among dozens of other cash crops in the same field. He explained that tea was planted first, followed by intercropping of the other cash crops within the tea garden.
Tea began yielding produce after three years, amla after five years, jackfruit after four years, rubber in its fifth year, and bay leaves starting from the third year, Nepal informed. “Initially, investment and labor are significant; from soil preparation to grafting and nurturing saplings takes time,” he said. “Returns begin after three years, and by seven years, all crops start generating income.”
Currently, the garden hosts 27 varieties of cash crops. Nepal is producing everything from medicinal plants like Arjun, Moringa, and Rudraksha to daily kitchen essentials such as cinnamon and lemon. His cultivation style is innovative and captivating; for example, pepper vines grow luxuriantly intertwined with large areca nut palms in his garden.
Recently, he has initiated coconut farming within the tea gardens on the advice of agricultural experts. He started removing two tea bushes at a time to plant coconut saplings within the tea plantation. “This is the first time coconut farming is being practiced as an intercropped species inside tea gardens here,” he stated, “and it is expected to introduce a new dimension to agricultural tourism and production in Jhapa.”
Farmers in Bahundangi often face challenges from wild animals such as elephants, leopards, and monkeys. Nepal explained that crops like tea and coconut are less affected by elephants and monkeys, so farmers are adopting these as alternative crops. Soil testing also indicates that coconut farming is suitable in areas along the East-West Highway including Bahundangi, Shanischare, and Budhabare.
He estimates that a single coconut tree can generate annual income of 17,000 to 18,000 NPR. He began planting coconuts within areca nut plantations last year and plans to plant a thousand saplings in total. “I planted 300 saplings last year and will plant 700 more this year,” Nepal added. Since the sap extracted from coconuts is sold unripe, he sees no shortage of market demand. Demand for coconut water in the market is also increasing.
With 13 years of mixed farming experience, Nepal reports no market issues with cash crops. Areca nuts and bay leaves sell while extensive processing industries for tea and rubber have already been established in Jhapa. “One must be proactive in finding and creating markets. Producing in the field and just resting at home is not enough,” he emphasized. “With well-managed mixed farming on one bigha, earning eight to nine lakh NPR annually is achievable.”
His successful agricultural work sets an example that if one is willing to work hard on their own land, there is no need to migrate to Europe or America for income. He urged the government to develop policies and programs to motivate the youth toward mixed farming. “Those who want quick returns can grow vegetables for three months, those who want grain can wait six months, and those who can wait a year can cultivate medicinal herbs. But with patience and persistence over three to four years, mixed farming can provide continuous income for 50 years,” he explained about the income prospects from farming.
