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As the season for harvesting wild fruits like Kaafal approaches, it has become a significant source of income for rural communities. Savita Nepali, a 10th-grade student at Ratna Secondary School in Palpa, is using the money earned from selling Kaafal to buy books, stationery, and clothes for herself. She explains that she collects the Kaafal from her parents on her way back home from school and then sells them near a local store or sometimes even by the roadside.
Ramesh Khatri, a representative of Kansai Nepal News, comments that many students like Savita are engaging in selling Kaafal to support their education due to financial constraints at home. He observes that during the season, many young children can be seen selling Kaafal along the roads in places like Devgiri, Dakmada, and Tan Sen.
In villages like Mathagadhi, Ribdikot, and Rainadevi Chahara, over 60 children are involved in selling Kaafal. Students like Sudip Somare and Pradeep Kanaujia not only sell Kaafal but also buy stationery and clothes with the earnings.
Travelers to places like Butwal, Bhairahawa, and Kathmandu often purchase Kaafal as seasonal fruits. Local residents, including parents, also engage in Kaafal sales to supplement their income. For instance, 65-year-old Vasanti Darlami from Shikarkot in Mathagadhi sold Kaafal for a month and was able to afford essentials like salt, oil, sugar, and lentils for a year with the earnings.
Many families in Shikarkot sell Kaafal, and with the establishment of road networks, it has become a significant source of income for around 100 households in Devgiri alone. The selling of Kaafal is bustling from the first week of Chaitra until the end of Baisakh, with local traders fetching up to 80 per kilogram.
Budhamaya Gharti, a local in Mathillo Shikarkot, shares that over 20 families in their locality sell Kaafal, and the demand is high, with sales ranging from 100 to 200 per day. She mentions the challenges faced due to the lack of proper market access and transportation to sell Kaafal and other agricultural products like wheat, maize, rice, and millet in places like Pokhara Thok, Chidipani, Nayara Namtale, and Madan Pokhara.
In comparison to last year, Geeta Baral from Devgiri earned around 40,000 from Kaafal sales. However, this year, due to a lower yield, she estimates earning only around 20-22 thousand. The markets of Butwal, Tan Sen, and Bazar are major selling points for Kaafal in the region. Local trader Balkrishna Nyupane mentions that last year alone, the village made profits of around 2.5 million from Kaafal sales.
In conclusion, Ramesh Khatri from Kansai Nepal News believes that the Kaafal trade not only supports the local economy but also serves as a vital income source for many families and students in the region.
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Author: MAYA | HARUTO
Posted at: May 24, 2025 7:00 pm
