Coffee farmers in the district have recorded a healthy growth in sales amid rising popularity of locally-produced coffee in the domestic market.

They also export the product after fulfilling the domestic demand. Coffee produced in major plantations in the district is being exported to Japan, according to Bodhraj Aryal, treasurer of the Coffee Entrepreneurs Association.

Out of the total production of 40 tonnes this year, 6 tonnes was exported to Japan. “Farmers earned a total revenue of Rs6 million through export,” he said. “As the domestic demand has grown this year, the export fell from 10 tonnes last year.” The farmers earned around Rs15 million from the domestic market, Aryal said.

As per the District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), the farmers have sold 172,000 kilograms of coffee in the current fiscal year. “To promote the coffee farming, the DADO has distributed 80,000 coffee plants at 50 percent subsidy, “said Tej Prasad Dawadi, chief of DADO. Coffee plantation is spread over an area of 52 hectares in the district.

Bhirkot, Putalibajaar, Waling and other 14 areas in the district are pocket areas for coffee production.

According to farmer Maya Tiwari, they are more motivated as their products have also started to enter other foreign markets besides Japan.

“There are around 5,000 farmers involved in coffee farming. The association purchases the coffee at Rs91per kg,” said Tiwari.