Tamghas. At a time when most of the youths are migrating abroad due to lack of employment in the country, a youth from Gulmi has achieved significant achievements in agriculture in the village. Bishnu Bhandari, 40, of Kharjyang of Chhatrakot rural municipality-5 in Gulmi district has made a leap in agriculture by utilizing the barren land.
He has planted vegetables including cucumbers, gourds, torai, farsi and chillies on 45 ropanis of land in Kharjyang. Bhandari, who also runs a meat business along with poultry farming, is the main product of cucumber. Bhandari, who started his business in 2072 BS by registering ‘Purnima Agriculture and Livestock Farm’ with the ‘Domestic and Small Industries Development Office’, sold cucumbers worth Rs 700,000 last year.
Bhandari said that although the business was produced a little in the initial phase, now the business has flourished. “Last year, I earned Rs 700,000 from 2,000 saplings grown in 2,000 plants,” he said. Till two years ago, the price of cucumber was up to Rs 40 per kg.
But last year, the price went up to Rs 140. As a result, his income has also increased. Bhandari said that this year he has added the seedlings inspired by the income earned last year. Cucumbers are ready for this season as well. The sale of cucumbers planted on November 29 had started from March 15. In the current season alone, he has sold 300 quintals of cucumber. He said that if the cucumbers grown now can be sold, then all the ripe yellow cucumbers will be sold for pickles during Dussehra-Tihar.
Bhandari said that if it is not sold even during Dashain-Tihar, it will be used for seeds. This season, he is selling up to 10 quintals of cucumbers daily from his garden. Along with cucumber, Bhandari has also done unseasonal maize production, poultry farming and fisheries in two ponds. He said that a minimum of Rs 100,000 per month would be saved by deducting expenses from all businesses.
Due to the current summer season, cucumbers are being sold a lot. There is a season to sell cucumbers till June. Since the summer season has already started, this time cucumber has not entered the district from outside. As a result, the demand for cucumber in the market is very high.
Cucumber is also used in food as well as during weddings, festivals and religious worship. Bhandari has set a target of producing 400 quintals of cucumbers this time. He has now planted 1,000 more unseasonal cucumber seeds. His cucumbers reach tamghas, Palpa, Butbal and Kathmandu along with the local market.
He also has full support from his family. Apart from four members of the family, four more people have also been given employment on monthly salary. In recent times, wild animals like monkeys, monkeys and dumsi have been harming the crops in the village. Bhandari, however, said it was easier to produce agriculture as there was no such problem. Bhandari’s lucrative agricultural activities have further encouraged the farmers from the youth power in the district. “There are many possibilities in the village if we can,” Bhandari said.
The state would have given the tunnel
As easy as it is to earn income by selling cucumbers, it is also easy to produce hard work. He also suffered losses several times due to heavy rains and lack of sales. He has been producing in the open ground as the tunnel is required for cucumber.
Bhandari said he had applied for the tunnel several times at the ward office but did not get any help. “Many times, I have not been able to get it,” he said, adding, “I would have increased the production further if I provided 100 per cent subsidy on maize or up to 50 per cent subsidy.” ’
He said that five quintals of cucumber was not damaged due to rain in the absence of a tunnel. He informed that after selling cucumber worth Rs 700,000, an additional five quintals were lost. “Now i have to continue cultivating cucumber, other professions are helpful,” Bhandari said, adding, “I would have been grateful if there was any support from the state in this regard.”
प्रतिक्रिया दिनुहोस्