Jul 25, 2019
Municipal Representatives visit to SAFII farmers' field
While July 24, 2019 was just another Wednesday for many of us, this day held a significant importance to Small Agro Farmers Income Improvement (SAFII) team and its beneficiaries which has added to their confidence and enthusiasm to work better in the future. As a part of enhancing information sharing to the related stakeholders, monitoring visit was organized for municipal representatives of Chautara Sangachowk Gadi municipality who directly observed the work of SAFII (JICA funded project jointly implemented by ISAP and PWJ) and how it had been contributing towards income improvement of project beneficiaries through fresh vegetable farming. The day started with the briefing of the project where the representatives were given the overview of what SAFII has been doing since 2018 till date which was then followed by visit to the beneficiary farmers’ field. The representatives along with the project team visited three farmers’ field: Lok Bahadur Giri, Sher Bahadur Kami and Chameli Shrestha to showcase various SAFII introduced technologies and its impact on farmer’s lives.
Lok Bahadur Giri from Jalkeni who hugely failed to grow tomato inside plastic house when he ventured himself, was amazed to see the difference as he harvested 200 kgs of tomato from project supported plastic house resulting from continuous technical guidance and support from project team. “Now, I own seven plastic houses on my own personal expense. The 5- day’s leader farmers’ training on vegetable farming and marketing was a turning point for me that gave me energy and confidence to excel in vegetable farming,” shared Giri during the visit. Similarly, Sher Bahadur Kami, a retired police personnel from Siranchaur shared that he earned almost Nrs 60,000 in four months by selling tomato (plastic house), cucumber, pumpkin shoot, cow pea and bitter gourd. Kami who had to wait for his monthly pension to make ends meet, shared that the income from fresh vegetable has eased his family’s life and expressed that the municipality representatives visit to his field has encouraged him to do more and has added fuel to his confidence. Chameli Shrestha of Chhap appreciated project support which has enhanced woman’s income level post-earthquake and shared that similar assistance is expected from municipality even after termination of project.
Ward Chief-05 and Agriculture Program Coordinator, Mr. Narman Shrestha praised the project for introducing new technology and techniques among farmers that has been contributing towards their income improvement and showed commitment to continue the program even after project’s termination. He said that the municipality is always ready to extend its helping hand that would help to continue the activities of SAFII project. “I am amazed to see how the project has drastically changed the mindset of farmers of this municipality in terms of vegetable production. We are always ready to contribute towards continuity of such programs,” said Deputy Head of District Coordination Committee, Ms. Bal Kumari Sapkota. After seeing how the project has touched life of small agro farmers, Uma Prasad Dulal, Ward Chief-07 suggested the team to expand its project area to others wards of municipality.
With so many positive comments and appreciation on our work from our municipality representatives, we are more encouraged to work for betterment of our farmers :)
#ISAP #PWJ #JICA