KATHMANDU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The production of coffee in Nepalis expected to exceed 280 tons this year. Growing commercial production and expansion of coffee farms are the reasons for the growth in coffee output, local media reported Saturday.

    The annual production of coffee was recorded at 270 tons in 2007/08 fiscal year.

    According to eKantipur.com, coffee farming in the country has expanded to 1,550 hectares of 25 districts.

    Binay Kumar Mishra, executive director of the National Tea and Coffee Development Board (NTCDB) said, coffee producers of Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Lalitpur, Kaski, Kavre, Parbat and Syangja have been expanding their production to cater to growing demand for the Nepali Arabica variety of filter coffee abroad.

    The NTCDB expects Lalitpur district in the capital Kathmandu Valley to become the largest producer of coffee in the country this year.

    According to NTCDB data, Lalitpur produced 48 tons of coffee this year.

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