The document reports on a study of the Godawari Nursery in Lalitpur district, Nepal. It provides details on the nursery such as the owner, area, species grown, propagation techniques, economic benefits, problems faced, and future plans. In conclusion, the nursery focuses on producing and selling 500 species of annuals, perennials, and fruit saplings, with major propagation by cutting and grafting, but faces issues around lack of government support for nursery businesses.

1. A report on
Status of Godawari nursery in Lalitpur district
Milan Regmi
Department of Horticulture
Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science
Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur
2022 February 2

2. 1. Introduction
1.1 Background Information
• A nursery is a confined space where plant seedlings are grown under ideal conditions until they are
ready to be planted (Krishnan, 2014).
• Plant materials in nursery are propagated, raised and maintained with the purpose of either selling
to the consumers or transplanting the seedlings/ plantlets into the main field.
• It is very easy to protect the seedling from diseases pest and uniform crop stand in the main field
can be maintained by selecting healthy, uniform and vigorous seedlings in the nursery itself (Pandey,
1993).
• Different nurseries have different niches, most plant nurseries in Nepal carry a wide variety of
seeds, seedlings of annual and perennial plants, fruit saplings, houseplants, potting soil, growing
media, fertilizers, rooting hormones and gardening accessories such as tools, containers etc.

3. • Not much survey and research have been conducted concerning the status of nursery in Nepal.
• Pointing out the gap in this area, the study was conducted to know the situation of nursery business
and its future.
1.2 Rationale of the study

4. 1.3 Objectives of the study
• To know the aim of nursery establishment
• To be familiar with the plant species grown in nursery
• To know the plant propagation and nursery management techniques
• To examine the economic benefit from the nursery
• To point out the problems faced by nursery owners and possible solutions to mitigate them
• To discuss about the future of nursery business

5. 1.4 Limitations of the study
• Nursery owners hesitate to disclose the initial investment, gross profit and net profit of their
business.
• Longer time duration taken during the survey may have influenced the quality of answers of latter
questions.
• We cannot be certain that the information provided by the respondent to be 100% true.

6. 2. Research Methodology
2.1 Site selection
• The Godawari Nursery of Godawari, Lalitpur was selected for this study.
• This nursery was selected on the basis of recommendation by local people of Godawari as one of
the top and biggest nurseries of Godawari, Lalitpur.
• Also, this nursery was much more accessible as it was near from Lagankhel-Godawari main road.

7. 2.2 Data collection techniques
• Semi-structured questionnaire was prepared concerning the information related to species of plants,
methods of propagation, nursery management techniques such as irrigation, disease control, and
marketing.
• Interview was conducted and a thorough visit and discussion was made to know the working
modality of the nursery.
• Interaction with workers was done to obtain further information about the nursery.

8. 3. Information on nursery owner
• Owner: Dinesh Prasai
• Education: SLC
• Age: 34
• Number of family members: 3 (male-2 & female-1)
• Number of family members involved in business: 2
• Source of investment: Private savings (Abroad for about 5 years)
• Trainings: No any trainings taken
• Experience: Worked as technician on Botanical Nursery Tissue culture for 6 years.

9. 4. Overview of the Godawari nursery
• Name of the nursery: Godawari Nursery
• Location: Thaiba-14, Godawari Municipality, Lalitpur
• Area at the time of establishment : 2 Ropani (Present - 6 ropani)
• Established: 2067 B.S.
• Land type: Leased (2 lakhs per month)
• Branch: a and c (Kitiney, Godawari) & covers total of 15 ropani
• Type of nursery: Both wholesaler and retailer
• Number of permanent workers: 4 (male-2 & female-2)
• Total plant species in nursery: 500

10. 40%
15%
12%
10%
10%
8%
5% Fruit saplings
Flowering plants
Tree saplings
Foliage plants
Cactus and succulents
Vegetable seedlings
Medicinal plants
Figure 1. Major species of plants in the Godawari nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.1 Nursery plants population

11. S.N Category Most traded species
1. Fruit Macadamia nut, dragon fruit, pecan nut, walnut, mandarin, almond
2. Ornamental Dahlia, marigold, zinnia, salvia, petunia, pansy
3. Trees Bottle brush, Thuja sp., bamboo
4. Vegetables Green leafy vegetables, cabbage, cauliflower, onion seedlings
5. Medicinal
plants
Rosemary, all spice, small cardamom, clove, bay leaf, black peeper
Table 2. Details of most traded plant species in Godawari Nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.2 Popular five ornamentals, fruits and medicinal plants

12. S. N Plants type Average number
1 Mother plants 0
2 Grafted/layered 5,000
3 Seedlings 15,000-35,000
4 Seeds 5 kg
Table 3. Average number of nursery stock found in Godawari nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.3 Nursery stock

13. S. N Type of
propagation
Time of propagation in percentage
Rainy season Winter season Spring season
1 Cuttings 20 20 60
2 Grafting 5 90 5
Table 4. Percentage of propagation techniques in different seasons in Godawari nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.4 Propagation

14. Name of the
nursery
Source of plants Major market
area
Trend of area Market demand
Godawari
Nursery
India, Thailand,
Netherland
Within valley
(60%) outside
valley (40%)
Increased Increased
Table 5: Input output supply scenario of nurseries in Lalitpur
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.5 Input and output supply in nursery

15. Name of the
nursery
Total no. of
species
Major propagation
practices
Major propagation structure
Godawari
Nursery
500 Grafting, layering, cutting Glass house(1), polyhouse(3),
hot house(2)
Table 6: Total numbers of species and different propagation practiced in Godawari nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.6 Plant species and propagation practices

16. Name of the
nursery
Investment
(year of
estd.)(NRs.)
Payback
period
Average
annual
income
Net profit
from Nursery
Net profit
high in
Godawari
Nursery
35 lakhs 3 years 36 lakhs 90 – 95 lakhs Ornamental
and fruits
Table 7: Economic condition of Godawari nursery
Source: Field survey, 2022
4.7 Economic condition of nursery

17. Figure 2. Marketing channel of plant materials in nursery starting from seller (inside country) to
customers (inside and outside country).
Seller
Wholesaler
Godawari
Nursery
Exporter
Buyer
Customer
4.8 Marketing channel flow chart
Source: Field survey, 2022

18. 4.9 Additional information on nursery
• Along with the business of plant species under different categories, this nursery is also involved in
selling of pots, soil, manure and fertilizers.
• More than indigenous plants, exotic plants tend to have higher demand.
• Season of highest sale included August – September whereas lowest sale occurred in winter
season.
• About 40% of plants and plant propagules are native and 60% of plant species were imported from
other countries.
• Highest net profit was obtained from cuttings of dragon fruit and seedlings of marigold.

19. • Costlier species in nursery include King palm (Rs. 15,000/plant) followed by almond saplings (Rs.
2000/plant).
• Cheaper species includes the seedlings of cauliflower, onion and cabbage (Rs 7/plant).
• Most of the customers in the nursery are commercial growers followed by retailers and offices.
• About 85% of the customers are repeated customers.
• Delivery services are available all around the Kathmandu valley and if the demand is in bulk, can
be delivered all around Nepal too.
• They used rented vehicles to transport the plants from one place to another.

20. 1. No support from the government side to the nursery investors
• There is no provision of low interest rate for the invetstor who are seeking opportunities in nursery business.
• Also, provision of at least 15 years of land renting should be made to the nursery owners to get maximum
benefit from the existing infrastructure.
• The provision of easy import and export of plant materials should also be ensured by the government.
2. Scarcity of soil during rainy season
• Soil is one of the pre-requisites to operate the day today activities in nursery. But during rainy season, wteting
of soil becomes the main problem and it is hard to get dry soil in time of need.
3. Scarcity of cheap and skilled labour during the peak season
• According to the respondents, they are facing problem of skilled labour. Most of the labours there learnt the
basic propagation techniques from there and moved somewhere where they can get more salary.
5. Prioritization of the problems and ranking

21. 4. No reliable supply of inputs:
• Most of the planting materials are brought from India, Thialand, Japan, Netherland however long days
documentation procedure for importation of plants is being experienced.
• Also, weak quarantine system of country has supported the importation of diseased planting materials from
abroad to Nepal.
5. Disease, insect and pest problem:
• Plants in the nursery may face fungal, bacterial and insect attack and difficulty in timely identification of
problem is faced by nursery owner because of lack of technical manpower.
6. Consumer awareness:
• Some customers only focus on the price but not the quality of planting material.

22. 6. Solutions suggested by the nursery owner
1. Government should provide loan for the nursery investors at low interest rate.
2. Smoothness in importation of plant materials from other countries.
3. Agricultural technicians should be available for identification of disease, insect pest of nursery and
recommending the probable solutions.
4.. Trainings and skill development programs for production of skilled manpower for plant
propagation.

23. 7. Management Aspects
7.1 Training and Pruning
• Pruning is a practiced in rose mainly.
• Disease and insect pest infested branches are pruned out.
• At the nursery level, training is not practiced in any kinds of plants.
• In addition to training and pruning, stacking is practiced in carnation and dahlia.

24. • To protect the nursery from stagnation of water due to heavy rain, canals are built at the side of
nursery houses.
• Plants are placed inside shade and green houses to protect from hailstones.
• The plastic of 120 Gauze (Indian) was used in every tunnel which could easily withstand the heavy
rain, hailstones and wind.
• Fastening of the four plastic ends to the stable object is practiced in nursery to protect from high
velocity wind during Chaitra-Baishakh.
7.2 Protection from adverse climatic conditions

25. • Problem of water scarcity was not an issue in the study area.
• For almost all plants, watering through pipe or watering can was done.
• Sprinkle irrigation is also fitted in some part of the nursery.
• Irrigation is done in morning or evening.
• They are planning to install drip irrigation for certain plants very soon.
7.3 Irrigation

26. • Sand and soil and FYM (80%) were the most used planting and potting media followed by
cocopeat (20%).
• Repotting was occasionally performed because it was not a necessary activity as plants did not
remain for long time.
• Polybag plantation of seedlings was usually done in the nursery.
• Mostly, polythene bags (80%) and earthen pots (20%) are used types of pots in the nursery
7.4 Potting

27. • In addition to the plants, they also provide the planting tips and care techniques.
• Customer phone calls are daily received by the nursery owner and solution to different insect pest
and disease problem is also provided.
• Advertisement of the nursery is done through facebook, youtube and tiktok and many people order
the plants through online.
• They take regular feedbacks from the customers to further improve their services and make their
customer happy.
7.5 Way of attraction to the consumers

28. • Number of permanent works in the nursery is 4 of which 2 of them are male and 2 females.
• Four to five temporary workers are hired during the peak and high sale season (Baishak-Ashoj) for
cutting, grafting, budding, sowing and garden establishment.
7.7 Disease, insect, pest and weed management
• Pest and disease management was done using organic (cow urine, jhol mol) and inorganic methods
(fungicides and pesticides).
• Weed management is done manually.
7.6 Labor management

29. • Soil was brought to the nursery from Bhaktapur and Thali.
• No soil treatment methods are applied to the soil as they have not encountered any kinds of fungus
problem till data.
• Organic manure was brought from Teku and Khokhana and vermicompost was also used in some
cases.
• Growth hormones (rootex) was used in rooting of cuttings.
• No any seed treatments were practiced in the nursery as the seeds of all plants come treated from
the market.
7.8 Soil, manure and fertilizer

30. • Currently, there are three branches of Godawari nursery in Godawari municipality and they are
planning to open a new branch (branch-d) within upcoming 2 years.
• Also, this nursery is planning to export Nepalese cut flowers to Quatar.
7.9 Future plan of nursery owner

31. • The Godawari nursery focused on the production and sales of annuals, perennials ornamental plant
and fruit saplings comprising of 500 species of plants.
• Also, additional plant species are imported from India, Thialand, Korea, Netherlands.
• Major propagation technique practiced in the nursery are cutting and grafting. Most used media in
the nursery is soil and sand followed by coco pit.
• Major problem faced by the nursery owner is lacking of the governmental support to encourage the
existing nursery investors as well as new investors.
8. Summary

32. • Future of the nursery business is bright as the demand for flower and fruit saplings is increasing in
valley and outside valley too.
• A lot of commercial farmers are demanding the fruit sapling in bulk quantity which cannot fulfilled
by the in-country production.
• Also, demand of seasonal flowers, cactus and succulents is also increasing all over Nepal for
decorative and aesthetic purposes.
• A lot of government, NGO and INGOs demand expensive indoor plants for aesthetic purposes.
• Also, garden maintaining trend is also increasing in urban cities like: Kathmandu, Chitwan,
Pokhara etc.
• Hence, quality planting materials should be produced within Nepal in bulk quantity to fulfill the
local demand as well as to export to the other countries.
9. Conclusion

33. • Large sum money goes abroad for buying the rootstocks, grafted plants, cuttings and other planting
materials.
• Hence, large scale nurseries should be established with the government support so that it could
meet the demand of all planting materials within the country.
Recommendation by nursery owner:
• To get involved in the nursery sector, one should have enough theoretical and most important
practical knowledge about the nursery management techniques.
• Once you have the skills and expertise in nursery plants and their propagation, it is an easy job but
you should give your 24 hours time and 100% in this business if you want to get success in this
sector.
10. Recommendation

34. • I would like to thank nursery owner Mr. Dinesh Prasai for providing us the detail information
about this nursery and nursery management techniques.
• Also, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Padma Nath Atreya for providing us this
opportunity of nursery survey.
Acknowledgements

35. References
• Krishnan, P. R., R.K. Kalia, J.C. Tewari and M.M. Roy (2014). Plant nursery management:
principles and practices. Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, 40.
• Pandey, B .1993. Nursery management.
• Roy, P.K. 2020. Essentials of plant nursery management. (2nd ed.). Scientific Publishers.

36. S. N English Name Scientific Name Habit Season of propagation Propagation techniques
Spring season annual flowers
1 Nasturtium Tropaeolum majus Annual Spring/late summer Stem
Cuttings
2 Sweet alyssum Lobularia maritima Annual Spring Cuttings/
seeds
3 Africandaisy Osteospermum sp. Perrenial Early – mid spring Cuttings
4 Delphinium Delphinium spp. Perrenial Spring Cuttings
5 Heartsease Viola tricolor Annual Early spring/
autumn
Seeds
6 Spider plant Cleome spinose Perennial Spring/early summer Seeds
7 French
Marigold
Tagetes patula Annual Summer Seeds
8 China aster Callistephus chinensis Annual Spring Seeds
9 Cornflower Centauraea cyanus Annual March-May Seeds
10 Sweet William Dianthusbarbatus Perennial Autumn/Early spring Cuttings
11 Hollyhock Adthaea rosea Biennial/short lived perennial Late summer Seed/
division
12 Impatiens Impatiens species Annual Spring Seeds/
cuttings
13 Snapdragon Antirrhinum majus Annual/short lived perennial Autumn Shoot tipcutting
Appendix
Table 1: List of the popular flowers in Godawari Nursery

37. Summer season annual flowers
14 Cleomespider
Plant
Cleome hassleriana Annual Spring Cuttings/
seeds
15 Angelonia Angeloniaspp. Perennial Spring Cuttings
16 Sunflower Helianthus annus Annual Summer Seeds
17 Gomphrena Gomphrena globosa Annual Summer Cuttings, seeds
18 Zinnia Zinnia elegans Annual Summer Cuttings
19 Gaillardia Gaillardiapulchella Perennial Spring Seeds, clump division
20 Cockscomb Celosia plumosa Perennial Late spring Seeds, cuttings
21 Balsam Impatiens balsamina Annual Spring Seeds
22 Statice Limonium snuatum Annual/Biennial/
Perennial
Spring Seeds
23 Morning Glory Ipomoea purpurea Perennial Spring Seeds
24 Gazania Gazania rigens Perennial Spring Cuttings
25 Anagallis Anagallis arvensis Perennial Spring/Early
summer
Cuttings
26 Nemesia Nemesia accuminata Annual/short lived perennial Spring Cuttings
27 Portulaca Portulaca grandiflora Annual/Perennial Spring Cuttings, seeds

38. Winter season annual flowers
28 Calendula Calendula officinalis Annual/shot lived perennial Late Winter Cuttings, seeds
29 Begonia Begonia benariensis Annual/Perennial Summer Leaf cutting
30 Verbena Verbena alata Annual/Perennial Winter Stem cuttings
31 Geranium Geranium pelargonium Perennial Falgun/Chaitra Shoot tip cuttings
32 Salvia Salvia officinalis Perennial Spring/Early
fall
Stem cuttings
33 Carnation Dianthus carophyllus Perennial Winter Clumpsdivision
34 Rudbeckia Rudbeckia hirta Perennial Early-mid spring Seeds, division
35 Primrose Primulavulgaris Annual/Perennial Summer-Autumn Seeds, clump
36 Petunia Petuniahybrida Annual Winter Seeds
37 Phlox Phlox drummondii Perennial Summer Cutting
38 Pansy Viola wittrockiana Perennial Winter leaf cutting
39 Stock Matthiolaincana Annual/Biennial/
Perennial
Late spring Seeds

39. Cut flowers
40 Rose Rosa indica Perennial Winter Cuttings
41 Carnation Dianthus caryophyllus Annual/Perennial Winter Cuttings
42 Gerbera spp Gerbera sp. Annual/Perennial Jan-March/
June-August
Seeds, cuttings, side
shoot, sucker
43 Chrysanthemum Chrysanthemum indicum Annual/Perennial Summer Cuttings, seed
44 Orchid Cymbidium hookerianum Perennial Spring Seeds, division
45 Bird of paradise Strelitzia alba Perennial Early spring Rhizome
46 Gladiolus Gladiolus communis Annual Spring Corms and
Cormels

40. S. N English Name Scientific Name Habit
1 Apple Malus domestica Perennial
2 Banana Musa paradisica Perennial
3 Avocado Persea americana Perennial
4 Custard apple Annona squamosa Perennial
5 Dragon fruit Hylocerus sp. Perennial
6 Grape Vitis vinifera Perennial
7 Guava Psidium guajava Perennial
8 Jackfruit Artocarpus heterophyllus Perennial
9 Persimmon Diospyrus kaki Perennial
10 Kiwi fruit Actinidia deliciosa Perennial
11 Lime Citrus aurantifolia Perennial
12 Lemon Citrus limon Perennial
13 Mandarin Citrus reticulata Perennial
14 Mango Mangifera indica Perennial
15 Muntala Fortunella japonica Perennial
16 Pear Pyrus communis Perennial
17 Pomegranate Punica granatum Perennial
18 Strawberry Fragaria annanassa Perennial
19 Sweet orange Citrus sinensis Perennial
20 Walnut Juglans regia Perennial
21 Star fruit Averrhoa carambola Perennial
22 Peach Prunus persica Perennial
23 Plum Prunus domestica Perennial
24 Pecan nut Carya illinoinensis Perennial
25 Pummelo Citrus grandis Perennial
26 Litchi Litchi chinensis Perennial
27 Almond Prunus dulcis Perennial
28 Ground apple Smallanthus sonchifolius Annual
Table 2. :List of popular fruit plants in Godawari Nursery

41. S.N English Name Scientific Name Habit
1. Cast iron plant Aspidistra elatior Perennial
2 Prayer plant Maranta leuconeura Perennial
3 Monstera Monstera deliciosa Perennial
4 Sansevieria Sanseveria trifasciata Perennial
5 Dumb dane Diffenbachia sp. Perennial
6 Inch plant Zebrina pendula Perennial
7 Tradescantia Tradescantia albiflora Perennial
8 Ivy Hedera sp. Perennial
9 Coleus Coleus sp. Perennial
10. Elephant ear Caladium sp. Perennial
11 Dracaena Draceana reflexa Perennial
12 Lucky bamboo Dracaena braunii Perennial
13 Pandanus Pandanus sp. Perennial
Table 3: List of popular indoor plants in Godawari Nursery

42. S.N English Name Scientific Name Habit
1 Aloe Aloe vera Perennial
2 Haworthia Haworthiopsis attenuate Perennial
3 String of pearl Senecio rowleyanus Perennial
4 String of heart Ceropegia sp. Perennial
5 Graptoveria Graptoveria sp. Perennial
S.N English Name Scientific Name Habit
1 Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. botrytis Annual/Biennial
2 Cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata Annual /Biennial
3 Brocolli Brassica oleracea var. italica Annual/Biennial
4 Onion Allium cepa Annual/Biennial
5 Chilli Capsicum annum Perennial
6 Cucumber Cucumis sativus Annual
7 Bitter gourd Momordica charantia Perennial
Table 4: List of popular cacti and succulents plants in Godawari Nursery
Table 5: List of vegetables saplings produced in Godawari Nursery