Organic farmer Gopal Upreti has set a new Guinness world record for the tallest coriander plant at 2.16 metres (7.1 feet). The previous record was a 1.8 metre tall coriander plant. The record-breaking coriander was grown by Upreti at Ranikhet in Almora district and measured on April 21.
Upreti said that he had grown coriander organically on about 10 nali land. Most of the plants had an average height of five feet with the average thickness of the stem ranging from half an inch to one inch. Stating that he had used traditional farming techniques, Upreti said that the height of the plants did not affect the aroma and other aspects. As an organic farmer, Gopal grows coriander every year. Using traditional Himalayan farming methods brings its own challenges. As the coriander is grown without using a polyhouse or any artificial covering, the crop is sometimes exposed to the harsh Himalayan weather conditions. Apart from coriander, Upreti also cultivates apples, plums and peaches on his land in Ranikhet.
Meanwhile, CM Rawat phoned Upreti and congratulated him on his achievement. Rawat said that this achievement is a matter of pride for the state and will motivate the youth and others in the region to also put in effort in agriculture.
