SATV Hetauda, Jan 31: For generations, Nepali handmade paper has been crafted using Lokta (Daphne bholua) as the primary raw material.

However, in a groundbreaking innovation, Prem Prasad Timalsina ‘Kuber’ from Babiyodanda, Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality-3, has started producing handmade paper from discarded banana stems and locally available Babiyo (Eulaliopsis binate) grass.

Handmade paper is widely used in courts and government offices across Nepal, traditionally relying on Lokta.

Recognising an opportunity in his village, which is a banana-farming hub, Timalsina saw potential in repurposing banana stems that were otherwise wasted.

“I knew that handmade paper was made from Lokta, but our village had an abundance of banana plants. After some research online, I decided to experiment with banana fibre,” he said.

With an initial investment of Rs. 800,000, Timalsina registered his handmade paper industry and set up factory on his own land. 

His venture is the first of its kind in the district and possibly the entire country, marking the first large-scale production of handmade paper from banana fibre in Nepal.

In the first month alone, he produced paper worth Rs. 50,000, selling it in Hetauda’s incense market. However, convincing his family to invest in his idea was initially a challenge. “They were hesitant at first, but now that production is running smoothly, they are fully supportive,” he shared.

To streamline production, Timalsina purchased a fibre extraction machine from Kathmandu for Rs. 150,000. Demand for his paper has surged, with Makwanpurgadhi Rural Municipality placing an initial order for 5,000 sheets.

Currently, he processes paper from 200 banana stems and plans to expand production to over 500 stems.

On average, half a kilogram of fibre can be extracted from one banana plant, producing up to 25 sheets of paper. At present, Timalsina is manufacturing 200 sheets daily in both thick and thin varieties.

Given that his village specialises in banana farming, he also intends to establish a pricing system for banana stems and purchase them directly from local farmers. “There is no market problem; everything we produce is consumed locally,” he affirmed.

Timalsina believes that with government support, such as technical training and access to machinery, banana stems, currently treated as waste, could become a valuable source of income.

He also urged the government to facilitate concessional loans and market assurance to help young entrepreneurs stay in Nepal and build sustainable businesses. 

The 35-year-old entrepreneur spent seven years (2011–2018) working in Saudi Arabia as a driver before returning to Nepal.

After driving a taxi in Kathmandu for a short period, he moved back to his village, where he received training in animal husbandry and started 

goat farming. His desire to utilise locally available raw materials led him to establish the handmade paper industry, turning an overlooked resource into a thriving business.

How is paper made from banana fibre?

The process begins with collecting banana stems and stalks, which are then processed in a machine to extract fibre and then dried.

The fibre is boiled with Babiyo grass in caustic soda for about five hours and then washed thoroughly three to four times. Next, it is pounded and processed into a fine pulp.

The pulp is spread onto a wooden frame with a mesh screen, filtered through water, and left to dry in the sun. On sunny days, the paper dries within two to three hours. Once ready, the sheets are removed, cut to the required size, and sent to the market for sale.