Gulf returnee turns flower farming into lucrative livelihood

Madhav Ghimire of Banepa cultivates a hectare of land with marigold and other flowers, netting around Rs 1 million a year.

At a glance, the fields of Basdol in ward 12 of Banepa Municipality glow golden under the autumn sun. As the country’s major festival Tihar is round the corner, the marigolds (sayapatri in Nepali) are in full bloom, announcing the season of lights and garlands. In the middle of this bright stretch, 58-year-old Madhav Ghimire is busy plucking flowers with his workers and family members. Their hands are moving swiftly from plant to plant.