JUMLA: Karma Budha of Bohora village, Chandanath Municipality-10, planted 500 walnut saplings in 2020. The saplings of the Chyangla variety did not grow as expected due to incompatibility with the local climate. However, he did not lose heart.

Three years ago, he planted 100 saplings of the local (Dante) variety. The growing trees have now started bearing fruit.

Even though there were apple saplings in the orchard, his attention is now mostly on walnuts. “Once the walnut saplings start bearing fruit, you can live comfortably for life,” says Budha.

“I don’t worry about whether they will sell on time like apples or rot and cause loss.”

How much income can 100 trees generate? His answer: “Once fully grown and bearing fruit, they can bring in 1–1.5 million rupees per year.”

As the trees grow, the fruit yield also increases, resulting in annual income growth, he explains.

Unlike apples, there is no risk of rotting. Budha, a former deputy coordinator of the Jumla District Coordination Committee, decided during his tenure to promote walnut farming as a long-term source of income.

Farmers in Jumla like Budha are now moving from apples to walnuts.

Consequently, walnut trees that were once found in forests are now being grown in farmers’ orchards and fields.

According to Budha, in the past five to six years, commercial walnut farming has spread so widely that it could soon redefine Jumla’s agricultural identity.

“Jumla was known for apples and Marsi rice. Now, walnuts will define it,” he says.

By fiscal year 2023/24, walnut farming covered 590 hectares in Jumla, producing 1,000 metric tons, according to the Agriculture Development Office.

Across Karnali Province in FY 2022/23, 2,250 hectares were under walnut cultivation, yielding 3,341 metric tons from 806 hectares.

“Commercial walnut development is ongoing in all 10 districts of Karnali,” says Bakhat Bahadur Khadka, spokesperson of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives of the province.

With facilitation from Surya Social Service Society, 200 farmers have formed groups to engage in commercial walnut farming, producing 400 metric tons last year, generating around 32 million rupees in income.

“Many other farmers, not registered with us, are also growing walnuts. Their number exceeds official statistics,” says the society’s chairman, Ghanshyam Nagarkoti.

Amrit Sarki of Sundar Village, Tatopani Rural Municipality-2, is producing and selling walnut saplings after seeing the interest of neighbors.

In his orchard, alongside sapling production, walnut trees have started bearing fruit.

“I’ve decided to shift entirely from apples to walnuts,” he says.

“Growing walnut saplings requires effort, but once grown, they yield steady income.”

Indeed, walnut cultivation has flourished in Urthu, Jumla. Farmers there cultivate in groups. Maaghi Bista, a group member, earned 1.2 million rupees in 2024 by selling walnuts and walnut oil.

Traders come directly to villages in Jumla to collect walnuts, signing production-cost agreements in May-June, with purchases occurring in September-October.

Bista says, “Previously, relying on apples caused losses due to spoilage or low prices. With walnuts, that worry is gone.”

From kernels to oil

Walnut oil machines are installed in Urthu, Patarashi Rural Municipality, and Gidikhola, Tatopani Rural Municipality.

These machines extract oil from hard walnuts.

According to Nagarkoti, these two rural municipalities produce about 400 liters of oil annually.

Karnali’s hard walnuts are not only high-quality but also expensive.

In Jumla, retail prices are Rs 600/kg for Dante and Rs 1,600/kg for hard walnuts.

Walnut oil sells at Rs 2,000 per liter.

Walnut oil is highly beneficial for health. It is rich in Omega-3 and fatty acids, reduces bad cholesterol (LDL), and supports heart health.

It is also good for skin, a source of vitamin E, protein, calcium, minerals, iron, phosphorus, and antioxidants.

Farmers turned to walnuts after facing problems marketing apples, says Tatopani Rural Municipality Chair Nanda Prasad Chaulagain, who has also planted 82 trees.

Previously, the municipality prioritized apples in its budget and programs, but now walnuts have taken precedence.

Rangaraj Dhital from Bharta, Kalikot, began commercial walnut farming after seeing its potential.

His orchard has about 50 trees planted five years ago. “Walnuts are usually planted for future generations to enjoy. I want to taste the fruit in my lifetime,” says Dhital.

Commercial walnut farmers use grafted saplings, which take 5–8 years to bear fruit in fertile soil, whereas seed-grown saplings take 7–10 years.

With proper soil and fertilizer, a mature tree can produce fruit for up to 100 years, according to Mukunda Sharma, horticulture officer at the provincial Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives.

Healthy trees yield 100–200 kg of fruit annually.

The Karnali hills are naturally fertile for fruits like walnuts and apples.

“The provincial government has a policy to encourage farmers based on local suitability,” Sharma adds.

Road access has made it easier for farmers. When traders do not visit villages, farmers collect produce in groups and bring it to markets, often with support from cooperative societies.

Himalayan Cooperative Society Chair Mayadatta Acharya says, “If walnut farming continues to expand and marketing is organized, it could become the main source of income for Jumla farmers.”

Easy to grow, lucrative

Farmers in Karnali are attracted to walnuts for three main reasons.

First, the climate is suitable and yields are good. Walnuts grow naturally in high hilly districts at 1,000–2,500 meters, including Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu, Jajarkot, Dolpa, and Rukum West.

Farmers have reported good production from Dante varieties.

Second, walnut produce fetches good prices in the market. Saplings and oil are in high demand.

Nursery-grown saplings sell for Rs 800–1,000, compared to Rs 50–100 for apple saplings. Walnut kernels sell for Rs 5–10 each.

According to Budha, a single tree can earn Rs 50,000–100,000 per year.

Third, saplings are easy to grow. Unlike apples, walnuts face fewer pest and disease risks.

Leaves and frost cause minimal damage, and regular soil and fertilizer management suffice, says Dipa Paudel, head of agriculture at Tatopani Rural Municipality. This is why apple farmers have switched to walnuts.

Branding needed

Despite this potential, neither the federal nor provincial governments have prioritized policies, programs, or budgets to promote walnuts.

Karnali Province allocates only a small budget for promotion. In FY 2023/24, just Rs 96.9 million was allocated for increasing fruit production, productivity, and marketing.

Budha says all three government levels have failed to recognize walnut farming’s potential.

If the government offered targeted support, it could raise incomes and reduce dependence on imports.

“With government help, Jumla’s walnuts could be branded globally. But a concrete policy and plan are needed,” he adds.

Lumbini Province has declared Putha Uttar Ganga Rural Municipality in Rukum East as a walnut farming hub, with 3,000 saplings planted.

Other areas in Rolpa, Rukum East, and Pyuthan also have potential.

In nearby Karnali, however, enthusiastic farmers lack government support.

Due to low prioritization, Nepal remains dependent on walnut imports.

According to the Department of Customs, 33 million kg worth Rs 1.14 billion was imported in FY 2023/24.

Nagarkoti notes, “Even if apple farming is promoted, Nepal could become self-reliant in walnuts within a few years.”

(Report from Jumla)