Returned migrants turn to agriculture for sustainable livelihood
BAJURA, JUNE 15
Padam Bahadur Rawat, a resident of Budhiganga Municipality-1 in Bajura, has found financial success in vegetable farming. A few years ago, he worked as a daily wage labourer in India, but in recent years, he has returned to his village and committed himself to agriculture.
Rawat, who worked as a security guard in India with little savings, now earns between Rs 500,000 and Rs 700,000 annually. In addition to cultivating vegetables, he is also involved in goat farming. He grows cucumbers, tomatoes, cauliflower, green leafy vegetables, onions, zucchinis, and off-season crops.
With the income from farming, Rawat has been able to provide a quality education for his three children. He sells his produce in the local markets and also supplies to neighbouring Bajhang district. Inspired by his success, other farmers in the village are also turning to commercial agriculture.
Another farmer, Nandakala Devi Budha of Pantali, Triveni Municipality-8, is also reaping the benefits of vegetable farming. She and fellow villagers have formed the Navajyoti Farmers Group to promote institutional farming practices. Through these groups, they are actively engaged in production, marketing, and accessing government services.
"We initially started growing vegetables for household consumption," said Budha. "But with the support of the local government and non-governmental organizations, we've now moved to commercial production." She added that more and more villagers are now engaged in vegetable cultivation.
Potatoes remain the most widely produced crop in Bajura. According to data from the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, over 22,160 metric tonnes of potatoes are produced annually on 2,055 hectares of land. Similarly, 554 hectares are used for winter vegetables, yielding 4,515 metric tonnes per year, while summer vegetables are cultivated on 450 hectares, producing about 4,937 metric tonnes annually.
Local governments and NGOs are actively working to promote commercial farming. Krishna Adhikari, programme manager of GIFT Nepal, said that many farmers in Bajura are becoming commercial growers. GIFT Nepal operates agricultural programmes in two municipalities in the district.
Various agricultural activities are being implemented under the "Renewable energy for Resilient Agrifood System (RERAS) Programme," UNDP, funded by Norway, and facilitated by GIFT Nepal under 'Cattleshed management to improvement farm yard manure and soil fertility' program.
Farmers groups have been formed in Triveni and Budhiganga municipalities to support cattle shed management and vegetable production. Budhiganga Municipality Mayor Ram Bahadur Baniya said that the project has greatly supported local farmers, improving both their livelihoods and their children's education.
Today, locally grown vegetables are available in abundance in Bajura's markets, marking a shift toward agricultural self-reliance in the district.
