Local coffee brand being promoted at national, international level

RAMPUR (PALPA), JANUARY 26: Several people mocked me when I used to roam the villages with a bag of coffee for sale. I faced harsh remarks, such as, "Wandering here and there to sell coffee because you couldn’t find anything better to do." Yet, I never let their words deter me. I continued reaching out to villages to promote coffee, determined to succeed.

Today, the tables have turned—customers now come to my home to buy coffee.

This is the story of Prem Bahadur Singh Thakuri, a resident of Bhambak, Palpa Rampur Municipality-5, who has transformed his identity through the coffee business.

Five years ago, Prem had never imagined that he would become a recognized name in his community through coffee. Now, he is not only known as a coffee entrepreneur but affectionately called the "coffee brother" by many.

With his growing coffee supply reaching not only villages and cities across Nepal but also international markets, Prem has gained the confidence to sustain and expand his business. He has registered a company named Organic Tea and Coffee and operates it from his home, equipped with a coffee processing machine.

Currently, Prem exports coffee to Japan, Korea, Germany, the UAE, and Malta. His friends traveling abroad help deliver the coffee to these countries. In Nepal, his coffee is popular in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Butwal, Tansen, and other markets. This year alone, he exported around 100 kilograms of coffee to international destinations.

Recalling his journey, Prem said, "The coffee I cultivated on farmland near my house produced a good yield. I started processing it but was unsure where to sell it. When I knocked on doors to offer my coffee, many people ridiculed me. But I never lost hope. Today, those same families come to my home to buy coffee."

He added, "If the product is of high quality, it may take time, but eventually, the market will come to you. Success takes patience and effort. Explaining the value of your product to customers and traders is the key to entrepreneurial success."

Prem produces, buys, and processes coffee before sending it to market. He ensures his products meet quality standards by obtaining certification from the Food and Quality Control Office in Bhairahawa.

Tea and coffee are sold at prices set by the Coffee Development Board. Prem initially began cultivating coffee eight years ago on five ropanis of land in Chapakot Municipality-4, Lagda, Syangja district. Two years ago, he expanded his farming to 35 ropanis in Chapakot-7, Patsar.

In 2078 BS, he launched his coffee processing enterprise with an investment of around NPR 2.5 million. He also produces seedlings, encourages local farmers to grow coffee, and provides them with seeds. In the coming planting season (June-July), Prem plans to plant around 16,000 saplings. He shared that selling seedlings is often more profitable than refined coffee.

Currently, Prem purchases five quintals of coffee from his own farm and 13 quintals from local farmers, supplying around one ton of processed coffee to the market annually.

The demand for his coffee has been increasing, particularly from local hotels and restaurants. "Customers who try it once often return for more," Prem said.

Prem worked in a coffee company in Korea for eight years, where he learned about coffee production, processing, and marketing. He noticed that coffee produced in Gulmi was being processed and sold internationally under the name Himalaya Gift. Inspired, he began farming coffee by bringing seeds from Gulmi, convinced that Nepali coffee could also achieve international recognition.

He credited Rampur Municipality for supporting his business, including marketing assistance. "Instead of going abroad, people should stay in their villages and start businesses. There’s so much potential here," he advised.

Rampur Municipality Mayor Raman Bahadur Thapa said the municipality has made arrangements for coffee to be sold in a gift house. "We are supporting entrepreneurs through grants, training, and marketing," the mayor stated.

Narayan Prasad Gaire, chief of the agriculture section, announced that this year, interest-free loans equivalent to NPR 1 million would be provided through Rampur Municipality's Youth Self-Employment Program.