Nepal, July 13 -- Seven years ago, Prabin Ingnam planted dragon fruit on just three katthas of land to test whether the crop would thrive. Today, his farm has grown into one of Ilam's largest dragon fruit orchards, earning him around Rs 1.2 million annually.

The farmer from Chulachuli Rural Municipality, Ward No. 3, now spends most of his day tending to his orchard at Village Agro Farm. He grows 2,800 Malaysian red dragon fruit plants across two bighas of land, including 38 katthas leased for cultivation.

"This year's production is expected to increase, so I hope my income will also rise," Ingnam said.

Encouraged by strong yields and low production costs, he gradually expanded his farm from the initial three katthas.

"I started on a ...