Kapilvastu, May 15:

Farmers of Gelwar and Dabra villages in Budi VDC (Kapilvastu) have set an example in production of off-season vegetables. Long Term Agriculture Planning Support Programme (LTAPSP) has been encouraging them in the production of off-season vegetables.

Chairperson of Adarsha Agriculture Group, Hira Mani Poudel said, LTAPSP helps poor farmers by providing seeds, medicines, agricultural equipment and irrigation facilities from time to time.

Every household in Gelwar and Dabra villages have been planting off-season vegetables like radish, cucumber, carrot, tomato, cauliflower, cabbage, beans, pumpkin, potato and onions at least on two katthas of land. We have been earning thousands of rupees from the production of vegetables, said a local, Nandaram Poudel.

Vegetable dealers from Rupandehi, Taulihawa, Syangja, and Pokhara come to collect vegetables from these villages, said Tek Raj Poudel, chairperson of Adarsha Agriculture Cooperatives. Farmers producing vegetables at a smallscale sell their products in the markets of Gorusinge and Imliya.

District programme advisor of LTAPSP, Bhagawan Thakur said off-season vegetable production groups are formed in villages where farmers have formed groups to get support. Thakur said, farmers come to ask for support in the field of agriculture and livestock.

Farmers, who are launching a campaign to bring green revolution in the agricultural sector, have named their village as Pragati Tole. Here 25 households have migrated from the hills. The 100 households in Gelbar are indigenous Tharu people.

The cultivable land in the villages is surrounded by forest which are supported by irrigation from underground boring. Locals said, the land is good for the production of both food and cash crops.

Officer at District Agriculture Development Office, Khursed Ahamad Khan appreciates the scientific system of farming adopted by the people in these villages. He said, each household earns one Rs 100,000 from farming each year. These villages could be the source of inspiration to other farmers, Ahamad said.