KANCHANPUR, NOVEMBER 6

Farmers of Naya Basti in Ward No 16 of Bhimdatta Municipality, Kanchanpur are engaged in vegetable farming as it has proved to be more beneficial than growing other crops.

All the 41 Rana families here have been cultivating vegetables. Nathuram Rana, a farmer, said that he had started commercial vegetable farming by forming a group in 2007.

He has now expanded cultivation to 15 kattha of land. The main source of income for Rana family is vegetable farming.

Sudama Rana, who has been engaged in vegetable farming for more than a decade, said that he chose vegetable farming because it was more profitable than other crops. He, however, complained that vegetables coming from India were creating problems for local production.

Similarly, Meena Rana, who is engaged in vegetable farming, also said that she was earning a good income. People now look for local produce in the market as we produce pesticide-free vegetables, she said.

The Rana community has also started a homestay in their settlement near Shuklaphanta National Park. Kailashu Rana, who is engaged in vegetable farming, also says that his family depends on vegetable farming for livelihood.

'The annual profit from vegetables is two to three hundred thousand rupees,' he added.

Most of the vegetable farmers here are women from the Rana community. Men go outside to do other works, while women grow vegetables at home and support household expenses.

A version of this article appears in the print on November 7, 2022 of The Himalayan Times.