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The campaign to make Changunarayan municipality in the Bhaktapur district an avocado city has continued this year. As part of the ‘Changunarayan – Avocado City campaign,’ which started last year, free avocado seedlings are being distributed to city residents again. Last year, the campaign, which focuses on planting programs during the rainy season, distributed about 7,000 avocado plants free of charge to all city wards.

Before the Agricultural Research Center opened at Pakhribas in Dhankuta, the British brought avocados to Nepal during a feasibility study in 2014. Five years ago, Dhankuta Municipality declared the city the avocado capital to encourage commercial cultivation. The municipality conducted a baseline survey to promote commercial avocado farming and then worked on declaring the Avocado Capital, establishing an avocado image, organizing a festival, and improving nurseries.

However, these campaigners haven’t considered the relationship between avocado trees and water. Yes, avocados are in high demand, but growing them uses a lot of water. According to the Water Footprint Network, it takes about 283 liters of water to produce one kilogram of avocados. This water is from irrigation, not rainfall. On average, about 70 liters of applied water are needed to grow just one avocado.

Research by Bio Resources indicates that avocado plantations significantly impact water resources. Intensive irrigation of plantations can deplete local groundwater, threatening the water supply of local populations and farmers. The expansion of avocado plantations can lead to competition with local food crops for water, impacting the food security of local communities. Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides in avocado orchards can pollute water and affect the quality of drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.

In 2023, Kenya exported 4,050 kilograms of avocados to Nepal. In 2021, Nepal imported avocados worth nearly $350,000, a 100 percent increase from the previous year. From July 2023 to May 2024, Nepal imported 177,260 kilograms of avocados worth Rs 786,680,000 from Uganda. This generated Rs 25,272,000 in revenue. The average price of imported avocados is Rs 587 per kilogram.

Why are avocados so popular in Nepal? Are Nepali people becoming wealthier or more health-conscious? Avocados, originally from Mexico, have become a favorite worldwide, including in Nepal.

Avocados are popular due to their nutritional benefits. It is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. It’s packed with potassium, folate, and fiber, essential for heart health and contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and lutein, which protect cells and reduce inflammation. Despite being calorie-dense, the fiber and fats in avocados help you feel full and support weight management.

The story of avocados in Nepal begins in the United Kingdom. European researchers and visitors introduced avocados to Nepal through the UK-funded Pakhribas Agriculture Research Centre nearly three decades ago. Since then, this nutrition-rich fruit has been embraced and celebrated in the region.

In the 1950s, avocados were introduced to India, starting in Kerala. By the 1980s, cultivation spread to Maharashtra and Karnataka. Farmers saw the economic potential and growing demand for this nutritious fruit. Nepal, with its varied landscapes, found avocados adaptable to different climates. In recent years, avocados have gained popularity in the hilly regions of Nepal, especially in Dhankuta. They are now widely available in local markets and are used in traditional dishes, salads, and smoothies.

Besides avocados, other fruits like kiwi are gaining popularity in Nepal. These fruits offer incredible health benefits and are changing the nutrition landscape in the country.

Avocados are more than just tasty fruits. They are a nutritional powerhouse. Including avocados in your diet can benefit your health in many ways. Whether mashed on toast or blended into a smoothie, avocados are a delicious and healthy addition to your meals. As you enjoy these benefits, remember the environmental impact and the cost involved. Stay healthy, stay vibrant, and keep exploring the wonders of nutrition.

My connection with avocados

About 32 years ago, a Nepali Burmese opened a hotel called Avocado in Hetauda, which sparked much discussion due to its unique name. More recently, my company was one of the largest users of avocados, catering to 81 airlines and some of the world’s biggest events, such as the FIFA World Cup, Formula 1, Euro Cup, and ATP Tennis. Avocados are always popular on our menus because they are healthy, versatile, and vegan-friendly, and we always include one or two avocado dishes. Personally, I love avocado as a spread and have developed my own special recipe called ‘Thicheko Avocado Chutney.’

Thicheko Avocado Chutney

Ingredients

•       3 ripe avocados

•       1 lemon, juiced

•       1 teaspoon salt

•       1 diced onion

•       3 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander

•       2 tomatoes, diced

•       1 teaspoon minced garlic

•       1 pinch timmur pepper (optional)

•       Raw mustard oil

•       Roasted sesame seeds (optional)

Instructions

Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl.

Use a fork to mash the avocados to your desired consistency.

Add the lemon juice and salt to the mashed avocados. Mix well to combine.

Add the diced onion, chopped cilantro, diced tomatoes, and minced garlic to the bowl. Stir everything together.

If you like a bit of a Nepali touch, add a pinch of ground timmur pepper and mix it in.

Add a drizzle of raw mustard oil.

Taste the chutney and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding more lime juice or salt to taste.

Serve immediately as a side dish or cover with plastic wrap (pressed directly onto the surface of the chutney) and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Sometimes, I finish with a roasted sesame seed topping for variety.

The author is UK-based research and development chef

Arzu Rana Deuba, a Central Working Committee member of the Nepali Congress, has been appointed the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the KP Sharma Oli-led government. This marks her first ministerial role, and she has undertaken a portfolio of significant importance amidst the rapidly evolving regional and international geopolitical landscape.

Although this is her first ministerial position, her extensive experience over the past three decades in observing state functions—partly through her role as the spouse of five-time Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba—affords her a unique advantage. She has been privy to high-level negotiations and has cultivated valuable personal connections, positioning her favorably compared to her predecessors. 

Coming from a well-educated family, Deuba also possesses a strong command of English, which is crucial for effective communication in bilateral talks and negotiations. Without relying on a translator, she can clearly and articulately present Nepal’s stance on both regional and international platforms. 

How she fares in her job is yet to be seen, especially in today’s volatile geopolitical climate. 

One of Deuba’s foremost challenges, says foreign policy expert Bijaya Kanta Karna, will be aligning the growing interests of major powers with Nepal’s national interests. 

Navigating the dynamics between the United States and China, as well as India and China in South Asia, is a significant task for the new government. Karna suggests that Nepal should leverage this complex situation to attract more investment and technology, thereby garnering international attention in Nepal’s favor.

The government must maintain balanced and cordial relations with all major powers, resisting pressures to align too closely with any one nation. Since the international media often frames new governments of Nepal as being “pro-China” or “pro-India,” influencing global perceptions, it is crucial for the Oli government to craft and project its own narrative.

Binoj Basnyat, a former major general of Nepal Army and political analyst, says the change in the coalition government and the alliance of the main two constitutional forces to form a national government reflect underlying constitutional weaknesses, political instability, institutional corruption, politicization of institutions, and erratic foreign policy behavior. He adds this situation arose as Nepal underwent significant transformation since 2008, while also facing the emergence of Cold War 2.0, a new global order marked by complex interactions of conflict, cooperation and competition among geopolitical rivals.

Basnyat suggests Nepal’s foreign policy should pursue three key objectives. First, domestic measures to ensure meritocracy, realism and honesty as the foundation for implementing national foreign policy within the framework of national interests. Second, economic diplomacy, which includes programs, policies or activities aimed at improving the economic well-being and quality of life for the community. This involves addressing geopolitical aspirations by accepting geographic realities, national necessities and democratic values. Third, upholding the principles of Panchasheel to protect freedom of action and maintain equilibrium with its competing partners and immediate neighbors, China and India, and global rivals, China and the US. 

Nepal’s strategic endeavors, Basnyat says, should follow a visionary approach, encompassing immediate, short-term and long-term development planning within national strategic policies to address financial arrangements. This will help avoid geopolitical uncertainty and prevent falling into strategic traps linked to political and economic conditions imposed by global visions.

As for foreign policy, he adds Nepal should strive for neutrality and a non-alignment policy to foster economic development, following the theme of ‘Yam between two boulders’ within a uniquely Nepali political and governance system.

On specific issues, Prime Minister Oli and the Nepali Congress (NC) have differing views, particularly on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Following an agreement with Oli’s CPN-UML, the NC officially decided against taking loans under the BRI, preferring terms similar to those offered by the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. Conversely, UML leaders advocate moving forward with BRI projects on concessional loans. 

NC and UML are also not on the same page on some issues related to India. Foreign Minister Deuba, like her predecessors, is likely to face pressure from the opposition and other parties to address the ongoing border dispute with India. However, during former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s visit to India last year, both nations agreed to allow more time for diplomatic mechanisms to address this issue.

To address the pressing economic challenges, particularly stagnation and job creation, the new government requires the support of major powers and long-standing development partners to attract investment. International investment in Nepal has declined in recent years, while external debt has increased. To reverse this trend, Deuba could play a key role here for setting up effective coordination among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, and the Office of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.

The NC-UML coalition has yet to finalize the government’s policies and programs, leaving its foreign policy orientation and priorities somewhat ambiguous. Nevertheless, significant shifts in foreign policy are unlikely. Effective foreign policy will depend on proper coordination and communication between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister. Historical precedent shows that conflicts can arise when the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister hail from different parties.

The new government is expected to put economic diplomacy at the center of its engagement with major powers, setting aside other differences. Economic recovery and infrastructure development are key priorities for Nepal. Both coalition parties agree that Nepal should not align with any single country but should engage major powers on economic issues rather than geopolitical tensions. 

The new government’s foreign policy will likely be driven by domestic agendas, such as economic recovery, job creation and securing funding for infrastructure development. In order to accomplish these agendas, Prime Minister Oli must avoid actions that could undermine trust with major powers and other development partners.

KP Sharma Oli of CPN-UML was sworn in as the prime minister of Nepal at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu, on Monday. President Ramchandra Paudel administered the oath of office and secrecy to Oli, who has been elected the chief executive for the fourth time. The President also administered the oath to 21 members inducted into Oli’s cabinet. The cabinet comprises leaders from UML, Nepali Congress, Loktantrik Samajbadi Party and Janata Samajbadi Party.

1. KP Sharma Oli, Prime Minister
2. Prakash Man Singh, Urban Development
3. Bishnu Prasad Paudel, Finance
4. Prithvi Subba Gurung, Communications
5. Ramesh Lekhak, Home
6. Sharat Singh Bhandari, Labor
7. Arzu Rana, Foreign Affairs
8. Pradeep Yadav, Water Supply
9. Balaram Adhikari, Land Management
10. Damodar Bhandari, Industry
11. Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Women, Children
12. Devendra Dahal, Physical Infrastructure
13. Tejulal Chaudhary, Youth
14. Pradip Paudel, Health
15. Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, Law
16. Badri Prasad Pandey, Culture, Tourism
17. Ramnath Adhikari, Agriculture
18. Bidhya Bhattarai, Education
19. Manbir Rai, Defense
20. Dipak Khadka, Energy
21. Raj Kumar Gupta, Federal Affairs
22. Ain Bahadur Shahi, Forest, Environment

Congratulations from int’l community 

Narendra Modi, Indian Prime Minister

Look forward to working closely to further strengthen the deep bonds of friendship between our two countries and to further expand our mutually beneficial cooperation for the progress and prosperity of our peoples.

Dean R Thompson, US Ambassador to Nepal

We look forward to working with the new Government of Nepal to further strengthen our 77-year partnership.

Rob Fenn, British Ambassador to Nepal

We look forward to further strengthening our longstanding UK-Nepal relationship in the coming days.

Dismal representation 

In Oli’s 22-member cabinet, there are only two women ministers and no Dalit ministers, though the Constitution mandates 33 percent representation of women and 13 percent representation of Dalits in all areas of the state.

Nine new faces

Out of the 21 appointed by Prime Minister Oli, nine became ministers for the first time: Arzu Rana, Pradip Paudel, Badri Pandey, Ramnath Adhikari, Ain Bahadur Shahi, Devendra Dahal, Bidya Bhattarai, Manbir Rai, and Raj Kumar Gupta.

Minister for the eighth time

Deputy Prime Minister Bishnu Paudel, who is also the Vice-chairperson of CPN-UML, has been appointed a minister for the eighth time. This marks his fifth term as Finance Minister and third stint as the deputy prime minister. His first appointment as minister was on 25 March 1997.

Urgent matters first

The newly-appointed Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari, shelved a plan to assume office by organizing a program due to an ongoing strike. After taking the oath of office, the minister visited the ministry and listened to the demands of the agitating employees of the ministry. Then he asked the employees to give him “2-4 days to see what he can do about their demands”. The employees’ demands include the retention of permanent posts for 328 individuals currently in bridge positions within agricultural services unions, along with arrangements for regular filling of vacant positions.

First decisions

Cabinet

The inaugural meeting of the new cabinet has decided to upgrade the TU International Cricket Ground with full facilities, including spectator stands and floodlights for night games, all to be completed within 300 days. Additionally, the cabinet has approved providing relief akin to that for the deceased to families of individuals missing for 10 days due to disasters like floods and landslides. The government also decided to make the decisions of the cabinet meeting public only after 24 hours.

Home Affairs

Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has formed a task force to study the Simaltal bus accident. Led by Joint Secretary of the Home Ministry Chhabi Rijal, the panel includes representatives from three security agencies and one from the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport. The task force has 10 days to complete the investigation.

Urban Development

Minister for Urban Development Prakash Man Singh signed a file for the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to amend the laws requiring self-declaration of non-foreign permanent residency in political appointments under the ministry’s departments and agencies.

Finance

Finance Minister Bishnu Paudel made his first decision related to conducting a study on identifying areas for development finance. He approved alternative financial procedures, making it easier to utilize blended finance, the Green Climate Fund, and other alternative financial resources, streamlining their acquisition and utilization processes.

Health and Population

Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Paudel has made the first decision to formulate a strategy for preventing cancer. Health Secretary Roshan Pokharel highlighted the rising number of cancer patients in Nepal, underscoring the need for a strategic approach to address this issue. Consequently, Minister Paudel approved the National Cancer Strategy (2024-2030).

Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation

Minister Balaram Adhikari signed two decisions: First, to send to the Law Ministry for the formation of a land registration committee for former Maharani Jhoda wards number 4 and 5 of Jhapa, and second, to approve the format for requesting instructions from agencies and departments under the Ministry.

Education, Science and Technology

Minister for Education, Science, and Technology Bidya Bhattarai formed a committee to study the integration of local agricultural products into the mid-day meals provided to students. She signed the decision to establish a committee tasked with developing a plan to connect the mid-day meals program, serving students from early childhood development up to the 5th grade, with locally-sourced agricultural products.

Foreign Affairs

Arzu Rana, Minister of Foreign Affairs, has decided to give continuity to the practice of sending congratulatory messages to the heads of state of friendly countries on their National Days, a practice observed during the monarchy.

At the crack of dawn, even before the misty air clears, Deepesh Khatri enters the ground and glances around, ensuring nothing has affected it overnight. A group of young players are already there. It’s a daily routine at the cricket ground of Lekhnath, which Deepesh Khatri has named ‘Eden Heavens.’ You might think the name is inspired by Eden Gardens in Kolkata, India, but the ground truly resembles heaven, if it exists. 

Recently, in Nepal, cricket has become a source of happiness and hope, drawing many youngsters into this promising sport. As a result, cricket academies have flourished across the country. Currently, there are only two cricket academies in the Kaski District, one of which is the Machhapuchhre Cricket Academy run by Khatri. The aspiring cricketers at Machhapuchhre Cricket Academy are happy to hone their skills by imitating their coach who has played a lot of cricket in his life.

Born and raised in India, Khatri learned the basics of the game in the rich cricketing atmosphere of Mumbai before coming to Nepal. It was his maternal uncle who urged him to come to Pokhara and showcase his talents. In 1999, he was selected for the Kaski District squad to participate in the Rajbiraj Jay Trophy. Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to play. Khatri desperately needed to prove his worth. He had come all the way from Mumbai to play cricket and wouldn’t give up so easily. When Khatri was provided the chance to play for Region No 4 in the U17 national cricket championship, he displayed his brilliance, making his team the tournament champions. 

He started his career as a medium pacer. With time, his batting abilities sharpened, making him a useful bowling all-rounder. In 2003, when Region No 4 was playing the final of the U19 national cricket championship against Biratnagar, captain Shakti Gauchan and the team management decided to experiment by sending Khatri as the opening batsman. 

Khatri, who usually bowled with a new ball, used to bat down the order. It was a gamble to promote him to the top order. In cricket, the chances of a lower-order batsman scoring runs as an opening batsman are always low. But there was something about Khatri that made the team trust him. Khatri top-scored with 110 runs under his belt, helping his team win the national championship. By then, he was only seen as a medium pacer who could swing his bat when needed. That innings in the final of the U19 national championship made him an undisputed all-rounder. He was now seen as a bright prospect of Nepali cricket.

He was an integral part of the Nepal squad in the 2003 U19 Youth Asia Cup held in Pakistan. The team, which included notable players like Paras Khadka, Shakti Gauchan, and Sharad Vesawkar, secured the title, which qualified Nepal for the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh. Despite his impressive performances in the domestic circuit, Khatri didn’t get many chances to play in the World Cup matches. This lack of opportunities at the international level, despite his evident talent, was one of the challenges he faced in his cricketing career.

In the selection tournament prior to Nepal’s tour of Kuwait, which marked Nepal’s first-ever Twenty20 international series, Khatri was recognized as the best bowler. Ironically, despite this accolade, he wasn’t given a chance to play in the matches against Kuwait. Disheartened by this decision, Khatri realized that there might be underlying issues affecting his selection and decided it would be better to focus on other areas of life besides cricket. 

Khatri’s decision to leave Nepal in 2008 shocked everyone, particularly those who had started seeing him as a bright prospect for Nepali cricket. It was apparent that Khatri’s spirits were low. However, Khatri’s love for cricket remained steadfast. In England, where he had gone to continue his studies, he played cricket for several clubs, including Blackheath Cricket Club. 

After completing his studies in England, Khatri returned to Nepal and leased a piece of land to build a cricket ground. He registered a club named ‘Machhapuchhre Cricket Club’. The ground, located in Nadipur, boasted a stunning view of the gleaming Machhapuchhre mountain, making it the most beautiful ground in Pokhara. Khatri continued to nurture the skills of his clubmates and, under his captaincy, Machhapuchhre Cricket Club consistently emerged as the best club in Pokhara. No other club had won as many titles in club-level cricket in Pokhara as Machhapuchhre Cricket Club.

Khatri’s contributions to promoting cricket in the nearby districts of Kaski were remarkable. He organized age-level cricket competitions, women’s cricket tournaments, and several leagues for men’s cricket as well. Through his efforts, cricket gained significant popularity and support in the region, fostering a new generation of cricket enthusiasts and players. 

Khatri was a permanent member of the district and regional teams, and his cricket career was progressing well. However, in 2015, he faced a lengthy three-year ban for speaking out against the cricket board. This ban sidelined him from the sport. Despite the setback, Khatri continued to train aspiring cricketers at his ground in Nadipur. He also traveled to India to play in several tournaments. His passion for cricket remained undiminished, and it was hard to keep him away from the game. In 2017, he organized the Machhapuchhre Cricket League (MCL), the largest league in the Gandaki region. Operating under a franchise system, the league captured the attention of cricket enthusiasts nationwide. 

After the lockdown, Khatri was asked to halt his cricketing pursuits in Nadipur, highlighting a sudden demand for government quarters around the ground. The ground that once produced and nurtured many cricketers now lay in ruins. Khatri felt dispirited, yet he couldn’t stay away from the game that meant the world to him. In 2021, Khatri once again built a club ground in Lekhnath, entirely funded by himself. Though he no longer plays competitive cricket, he is frequently spotted practicing with aspiring cricketers at his self-built ground. 

Numerous Indian and local clubs and teams regularly visit to play matches there. And that is how Khatri covers his expenses. Reflecting on his life, Khatri humbly admits cricket has been his sole focus. The cricketers around him draw inspiration from his career and seek to learn from his experience. Their respect motivates him to continue advancing and contributing to the sport’s development. When asked about his life, he simply replies, “I’m all about cricket. I’m a cricketer for life.”