Introduction

Nepal exports most of Timur pepper it produces annually, as demand from Europe (for Timur oil) and India run high. Currently, more than 20,000 farm holdings, as well as poorer populations, especially women, children and the unemployed, are involved in collecting the Timur fruit, while grazing cattle. Some farmers have already started planting it to rehabilitate degraded forest lands.

Investments target 4 districts for value addition (oil, powder), market diversification, and export enterprise, area expansion, improving post-harvest technologies and marketing, tissue culture, screen and net house facilities to produce quality planting material, and establishment of drying and storage facilities.