Fruit resources represent significant assets for national dietary sustenance and rural economic revitalization. Nepal, possessing ample natural diversity, has abundant fruit resources, notably Prunus cerasifera Ehrh. and Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, distributed from the eastern to western regions of the country. We assessed the ethnobotanical significance and current utilization of these species and proposed a sustainable usage roadmap. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted across 54 districts of Nepal, encompassing data from 775 respondents. P. cerasifera and P. persica were utilized in 8 and 12 major categories, respectively. The total use reports for P. cerasifera were 1441, and P. persica was 1867. The fidelity level was highest (100%) for fruit use for P. persica and 99.4% for P. cerasifera. The generalized linear model (GLM) Poisson showed that P. persica was significantly dependent on age and occupation; however, P. cerasifera was not dependent on these variables. We conclude that to optimize the utilization of P. cerasifera and P. persica, product development initiatives such as juice, wine, and alcohol production should be prioritized. These value-added products can enhance economic benefits while ensuring the sustainable use of these species.

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