Avocado craze hits Nepal

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