KATHMANDU, Aug 21: The wholesale price of Nepali large tomatoes has decreased in the Kalimati vegetable market today.

While fruits are generally considered to be healthy, their health benefits are dependent on how they are ripened. The best method is to allow them to ripen naturally on the plant itself. As fruits mature, they undergo a series of physical and biochemical changes that are irreversible and ultimately lead to senescence.

KATHMANDU, June 28: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has urged people not to use carbide to ripen fruits.

KATHMANDU, April 25: Although agriculture has been a major sector of the country's economy as the main source of livelihood, employment and economic and social transformation, it has been found that the country has been importing huge quantities of agricultural goods.

KATHMANDU, March 19: Fruits of various kinds worth Rs 6.6 billion have been imported in the first seven months of the current fiscal year 2021/22, according to the Department of Customs.

KATHMANDU, Oct 27: The Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC) has started testing residues of pesticides at seven border points to ensure whether the vegetables and fruits imported from India are edible or not.

Groundwater for food security

March 22, 2020 10:34 am

Nepal exports agricultural commodities worth USD 200 million each year, and imports produce worth about five times as much. While nearly 70 percent of Nepal’s total imports of agricultural commodities—cereals, vegetables, and fruits—come from India, this has not always been the case. Until the 1980s, Nepal was a net exporter of agricultural commodities. Even today, if agricultural land in the Tarai plains—known popularly as the granary of Nepal—is optimally utilized, the country’s agricultural production can increase manifold to offset the current trade deficit. About 600,000 hectares (ha) of irrigable land in the Tarai are unirrigated and completely dependent on rainfall. If Nepal uses its groundwater resources to irrigate these lands, it will help bolster food security and lead to socio-economic benefits for the country.

KATHMANDU, Nov 30: Exporters of Nepali food items to China now need to put product labeling in Chinese language with the northern neighbor making the new rule mandatory for all its food imports.

Eating healthy

September 27, 2019 08:28 am

We all want to eat healthy but try as we might we aren’t able to stick to our ‘resolution’ of eating fruits and veggies for more than a few days or a week at the most. But eating clean is possible.

KATHMANDU, Aug 21: In a major agreement that is expected to ease the import and export of various food items between the two countries, Nepal and India have agreed to recognize each other’s inspection, testing and certification of a number of exportable goods such as vegetables and fruits conducted by their relevant bodies.

KATHMANDU, June 17: The Supreme Court on Tuesday continued its July 10 stay order directing the government to conduct pesticides residue test compulsorily on vegetables and fruits imported to Nepal from India and other countries.

KATHMANDU, July 16: Supply of fruits including mango and pineapple has reduced by around 80% after pesticide residue test has been made mandatory for fruits and vegetables coming from India. “Nowadays, we supply only 15-20 tons of mangoes every day due to pesticide issues.

KATHMANDU, July 9: Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies Matrika Prasad Yadav has said that the government rolled back its decision to conduct pesticide residue tests on fruits and vegetables imported from India and third countries after it was found that the customs points were ill-equipped and not due to pressure from India as being reported.

KATHMANDU, July 7: Government has said that it will take at least one year to start lab test of the vegetables and fruits imported from India and third countries.

KATHMANDU, July 7: Government officials have said the installation of well-equipped labs at least at the six major border customs points namely Kakadvitta, Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birgunj, Bhairahawa and Nepalgunj is necessary to start effective pesticide tests for vegetables and fruits coming into the country from India.

BHAIRAHAWA, July 7: While the government has revoked its decision to carry out pesticide testing for vegetables and fruits imported from India citing lack of adequate lab facilities, vegetables and fruits from Bhairahawa Customs Office are being imported only after lab test of samples.

KATHMANDU, July 6: The main opposition Nepali Congress has slammed the government for revoking its decision to carry out pesticide testing for vegetables and fruits from India.

KATHMANDU, July 6: Under enormous pressure from the Indian embassy, the government has put on hold its decision to carry out pesticide testing for vegetables and fruits imported from India until further arrangements.

KATHMANDU, July 5: The government has stepped back from the decision to examine the vegetables and fruits that are imported from India.

BHAIRAHAWA, June 24: Following the government’s decision that fruits and vegetables will be allowed entry into the country only after verifying that they are free of pesticides, 17 trucks carrying onion and potato from India have been stopped at Bhairahawa Customs point.

BHAIRAHAWA, June 24: Following the government's decision that fruits and vegetables will be allowed entry into the country only after verifying that they are free of pesticides, 17 trucks carrying onion and potato from India have been stopped at Bhairahawa Customs point.

KATHMANDU, May 27: Price of limes has gone up significantly in the market over the last two months, and continues to skyrocket, owing to a similar price hike in India.

May 16: For the first time, a large experiment suggests that trimming dietary fat and eating more fruits and vegetables may lower a woman’s risk of dying of breast cancer.

KHOTANG, April 23: Ramnidhi Acharya, a farmer of Yamkha in Diprung Chuichumma Rural Municipality, is making handsome money by producing saplings of different fruits and spices in his nursery. Staying within the country, he has set an example for other locals who keep saying that there is no opportunity in village.

KATHMANDU, Dec 12: The government has set aside Rs 160 million for the promotion of commercial farming of fruits and lime.

BHARATPUR, Aug 27: Construction of a modern fruits and vegetables market in Chhetrapur of Chitwan is in the last leg.

INARUWA, May 9: Strong storms coupled with hailstones and rainfall occurred all of a sudden early morning today caused heavy damages to vegetables, crops and nurseries in different parts of the Sunsari district.

Souls of my city: Fruits of struggle

April 21, 2018 09:56 am

Biraj Rajbansi of Morang was a small boy when his father passed away. Running away from home at that tender age, he struggled for years in different cities for survival.  “I ran away from my home when I was studying in Grade 6. My father passed away when I was a small boy. I came to Biratnagar and worked at a tea shop there for around four years,” said Biraj, 33.

Phalebas, Parbat, March 31: A hailstorm that lasted for five days destroyed more than 20 million worth of vegetables, crops and fruits in various parts of Parbat district, said the District Agricultural Development Office.

KATHMANDU, Feb 23: The government finally seems to have woken up to the fact that increased use of pesticides in fruits and vegetables is affecting human health.

KATHMANDU, Jan 13: Nepali fruit market is dominated by fruits imported from India and China as domestic production is far less than the market demand.

KATHMANDU, Oct 11: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) has said that price of dry fruits won't go up this Tihar.

KATHMANDU, July 23: Carbamate residue has been found in vegetables brought to the Kathmandu Valley from different districts.

KATHMANDU, April 18 : Pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables in Kalimati fruits and vegetables market, and five other cities are under acceptable limits, according to government officials.

Fruits of Tihar

October 27, 2016 00:15 am

As you celebrate Tihar you should know if the fruits you consume are healthy

BAJHANG, Oct 6: An acute shortage of foodstuffs has gripped many rural villages of Bajhang, a district in the far-western Nepal,forcing the people to eat wild fruits for survival. The people of the affected villages including Kanda have started eating wild fruits and Sisnu plants (urtica dioica) for the survival.