Jun 5, 2023
Unlocking the potential of farmers by PIWAAI
Lal Bahadur Khadka, a resident of, Sundardada, ward number 6, Sunkoshi Rural Municipality, shares his inspiring journey from growing traditional crops to becoming a successful tomato farmer. Lal Bahadur’s story demonstrates how access to knowledge, training, and support can transform the lives of farmers and help them realize the potential of agriculture as a profitable business.
Previously, Lal Bahadur used to purchase tomatoes from distant markets for vegetables and even make pickles, unaware that he could grow them on his own land. He cultivated maize and millet but struggled to earn money from their sales as most of the produce was either consumed by his family or fetched minimal returns. However, everything changed when he received support from PIWAAI, in the form of cultivation training, input assistance to build a plastic house, exposure visits, and regular monitoring.
Equipped with this knowledge and the necessary resources, Lal Bahadur began growing tomatoes under his plastic house. Through the guidance of field technicians, he learned to identify insect-pest infections, manage irrigation and fertilizers, address nutrient deficiencies, and employed special training and pruning techniques for tomato cultivation. As a result, he now generates an annual profit of around Rs. 30,000 by selling his surplus tomatoes in the local market.
Lal Bahadur’s newfound success has brought joy and stability to his family. With the income from tomato farming, he can support his loved ones and create a decent livelihood. Inspired by his achievements, Lal Bahadur is motivated to expand the number of plastic houses he owns. Moreover, he aspires to share the knowledge and experiences he has gained with fellow farmers in his community. By doing so, he aims to create awareness among farmers about how agriculture can be a profitable business, transforming the perception of farming and empowering others to achieve similar success.
Lal Bahadur’s story highlights the importance of providing farmers with the necessary training, resources, and support to unlock the full potential of agriculture. Through initiatives like PIWAAI and the dedication of individuals like Lal Bahadur, rural communities can thrive, farmers can improve their livelihoods, and society as a whole can benefit from sustainable and profitable agriculture practices.
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