Khadak Thapa Magar of Kusmali, Amargadhi Municipality-2, said that production has increased after receiving regular advice on proper irrigation, fertilizer management, and disease control.
What you should know
Khadak Thapa Magar of Kusmali, Amargadhi Municipality-2, who retired after serving in the Nepali Army for 18 years, has started enjoying the agricultural business in recent years. He has made a name for himself as a successful farmer by combining traditional farming methods with modern methods and technical support.
He said that this year, through personal effort, he was able to sell green capsicum worth Rs 1.5 lakh in a single season.
Magar planted capsicum seedlings worth about Rs 6,000 in four plastic tunnels and cultivated them. The National Agriculture Modernization Program and the Agricultural Knowledge Center, Dadeldhura, provided support for his investment, which started with the construction of the tunnel. Magar says that production has increased after receiving regular consultations on proper irrigation, fertilizer management, and disease control.
Production has been good in all four tunnels he operates. After growing about 12 quintals of green capsicum, he sold most of the production in the nearby district headquarters market. 'There was no shortage of market as the demand for capsicum was good,' he said.
Recently, the number of farmers producing off-season vegetables in plastic tunnels in hilly areas including Dadeldhura has been increasing, according to the Agricultural Knowledge Center. Farmers are being attracted to vegetables such as beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes as they are more profitable in the hilly areas.
The retired Magar said that he is planning to further expand the agricultural sector. ‘This year’s results have given him encouragement,’ he said, ‘If we work in a planned manner, we can earn a good income from commercial vegetable farming in the hilly areas too.’
