GALKOT, SEPTEMBER 30

Farmers here have gradually adopted machines in agriculture, thereby boosting production and returns. The high-tech tunnel, drip irrigation and mulching technologies are common these days.

Trilochan Sapkota is the one utilising modern technology in agriculture. Actively involved in agriculture for three decades, Sapkota from Dhodeni of Baglung Municipality shared that he was able to double the production with adoption of mechanization.

Currently, he is running high tech tunnel farming in 12 ropanis of land.

He has applied drip irrigation and mulching technologies in each plastic tunnel. Cattle urine is supplied to a plastic tunnel with cleaning and disinfection.

This has been managed underthe Kaligandaki Livestock and Agro Farm Company.

'I've been doing commercial livestock farming for 32 years.

Adoption of technology for five years has doubled my income,' he shared, adding that vegetable farming in the tunnel is reaping benefit.

Sapkota sells 25 litres of milk produced by three buffaloes and a cow every day. He is also raising local fish in a pond as well. 'Last May alone, I earned Rs 200,000 selling tomato. Such good income was possible with the use of technology,' he informed.

He has given regular jobs to two persons and some others on contract basis.

'I earn as high as Rs 1.5 million rupees annually by selling milk, fish and vegetables,' he said. With this, he has been able to afford higher education for his three sons. One of his sons is in the US, and another is in Australia now.

According to him, once the crops and livestock are saved from diseases, huge income is guaranteed. Similarly, the government is providing grant and technical assistance. Although half million rupees is spent on wages, fertilizer and seeds every year, Rs one million is easily saved.

He is planning to expand agricultural farm and make it pesticide-free.

Cleaned and disinfected urine of cattle is used for vegetables as compost. He has three ropanis of land of his own for running the agricultural farm, while the remaining one has been taken on rent. He pays Rs 80,000 for land lease.

Cauliflower, cabbage, beans, tomato are produced in the farm. Major source of income is, however, tomato.

Sapkota is assisted by his spouse and youngest son Sagar.

A version of this article appears in the print on October 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times