Some journeys are shaped by quiet determination rather than dramatic beginnings.
Kripasur Ghale's path — from the ranks of the Indian Army to the fields of Nepal — is one of perseverance, vision, and hard-earned success. Together with his wife, Kamala, he transformed a modest dragon fruit plant into a thriving orchard that now stands as an example for farmers across the region.
This journey began years earlier in the rural hills of Baksila, Khotang, where Kripasur Ghale was born into a family with deep ties to the Gurkha army. At the age of 15, while in class 7, he left for India, following his maternal uncle, who was in the Indian army. Inspired by his uncle's military life, Kripasur joined the Indian army and became a Gurkha soldier. After serving for several years, at the age of 25, during a break from service, he married Kamala Gurung from Aiselukharka, Khotang. Their marriage marked the beginning of their shared life journey.
After marriage, Kamala moved to Tarahara, Sunsari, where she managed household responsibilities and raised their children while Kripasur continued his service in the Indian army. Kamala initially engaged in small-scale farming, including raising goats, chickens, and ducks. By 2003, she also started beekeeping with two hives purchased for NRs. 10,000, which grew to 26 hives over the years. Kamala’s honey production expanded to include flowers from mustard, lychee, and jungle varieties, producing up to 1,000 liters of honey annually. However, as the number of beekeepers grew and the use of pesticides increased, the bee population began to dwindle, and by 2015, Kamala gradually phased out beekeeping..jpg)
.jpg)
Photos: Kripasur and Kamala and their dragon fruit farm in 2020.
In 2015, Kripasur retired from his position as a Subedar in the Indian Army and returned to Nepal. The couple, now together in Nepal, was ready for a new challenge—dragon fruit farming.
The Beginning of Dragon Fruit Farming
Around 20 years earlier, Kamala had received a small piece of dragon fruit from a Malaysian religious guru, which she nurtured into a thriving plant. The fruit was delicious, but they had not considered its commercial potential. It wasn’t until they noticed the high market price of dragon fruit in Bhatbhateni Supermarket—selling at Rs. 1,250 per kilogram—that Kripasur and Kamala saw an opportunity. Motivated by the price and business potential, they decided to expand dragon fruit farming on their property.
In 2014 BS, Kripasur bought a one-acre plot of land near the river to start their dragon fruit cultivation. They gathered information from various sources, but much of it was in Chinese or other unfamiliar languages. Eventually, their daughter, who was studying in college, translated an instructional video from English into Nepali, giving them the initial guidance they needed.
The couple began by planting 200 dragon fruit cuttings in 2017, using pieces of the plant they already had. The first few years were challenging, with many issues arising, but they gradually gained experience. After two years, they expanded their farm by adding another 250 plants, and over the next few years, they covered the entire available land with dragon fruit.
.jpg)
Photos: Kripasur and Kamala Dragon fruit farm and nursery in 2023
The Growth of Their Business
At first, their farm went unnoticed, but in the third year of cultivation, one of their relatives posted photos of their thriving dragon fruit farm on Facebook. This led to an influx of journalists' eager to tell their story. As word spread, demand for both the fruit and the plants skyrocketed. They found themselves selling hundreds of dragon fruit plants each year, with the plants priced at NRs. 250 each for one-foot-long cuttings.
Between 2019 and 2020, they made between NRs. 6 to 7 million annually just from selling dragon fruit plants. However, as the number of dragon fruit farmers grew, the supply of plants began to outpace the demand. Kripasur and Kamala shifted their focus to fruit production, and by 2020, the market for the fruit had expanded rapidly, partly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Their success in plant sales eventually gave way to a strong fruit business.
A New Direction in Farming
By 2022, the couple had transformed their farm into a major source of income. They now harvest 20-22 tons of dragon fruit annually from around 900 plants, earning around NRs. 6 to 8 million per year. The initial focus on plant sales shifted as they concentrated more on fruit production. The price of dragon fruit per kilogram ranged from NRs. 400 to 500, depending on the year, and the couple found that their farm was now thriving.
Kripasur and Kamala were also keen to experiment with new methods to improve their farming techniques. In their most recent innovation, they started using artificial lighting to promote off-season fruiting. Despite not seeing the expected results in the first year, they persisted and continued using lights to encourage early fruiting. The idea proved to have promise, as the off-season fruits fetched a higher market price, adding another layer of profitability to their business.
Photos: Extra light arrangements for offseason fruiting and early flowering of dragon fruit
Additionally, they integrated drip irrigation systems into their farm to optimize water usage, especially for their younger plants. Their nephew’s farm, which had similar features, provided a clear indication of how effective these innovations could be. The couple was encouraged by the results and decided to add these enhancements to their own farm.
Continued Innovation and Future Plans
Even after years of success, Kripasur and Kamala remain committed to innovation. They are exploring new ways to increase fruit production, such as adjusting irrigation techniques and experimenting with different lighting setups. Their focus on improving yields while keeping costs low has been key to their sustainability.
Kamala’s keen observation and dedication to the farm have made her an integral part of their success. She constantly monitors their progress, comparing their results with other farms and finding ways to implement improvements. Kripasur, while initially hesitant about adding new technologies, has come around to Kamala’s suggestions, as he has seen their positive impact on their farm’s performance.
Photos: Kripasur and Kamala's farm and their newly installed drip system
Their future plans include expanding their farm further and experimenting with new technologies, such as advanced irrigation systems and sustainable farming practices. They aim to ensure that their farm remains a model of success for other aspiring dragon fruit farmers.
Conclusion
Kripasur and Kamala’s journey from military life and traditional farming to successful dragon fruit cultivation is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and willingness to innovate. They started small, faced many challenges, and learned along the way. Today, they have not only transformed their own lives but have also inspired countless others to take up dragon fruit farming.
Their story is one of perseverance and growth, demonstrating that even the most unlikely of ventures can lead to success with the right mindset and a willingness to embrace change. Their dedication to their farm, innovative spirit, and commitment to excellence are qualities that will continue to guide them in the years ahead.
All Photos were taken by Rajendra Uprety
