Farmers of Galdha, Nisdi Rural Municipality, Palpa, are preparing to export their indigenous white beans to Europe this year as well, produced without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The white beans are being exported to Europe through the Galdha Social Entrepreneur Women's Cooperative Organization located in Dhunganabensi, Nisdi Rural Municipality-5, Galdha.

This year, there has been a demand of 40,000 kg in the Netherlands, said Ammaya Thapa Mashrangi, chairperson of the Galdha Social Entrepreneur Women's Cooperative. The cooperative had sent nearly 20,000 kg of white beans to Europe last year. "They have told us that we can produce," said chairperson Thapa, "but our production has not increased. Although it has increased compared to last year. It is difficult to compete with middlemen."

For the last three weeks, women from Galdha and Dhunganabensi have been eager to grade white beans. 20 women have to be deployed for grading daily. Since many people cannot work at once, they have hired fewer workers. The cooperative has listed 45 people for employment.

It has a partnership with Akista Nepal, an organization that exports beans to Europe. Akista certifies them organically through Heifer Nepal. With the beans being exported, farmers here have also received good prices. 

Farmers who used to sell for Rs 130 in the past are now buying white beans from the cooperative for Rs 175 per kg, said manager Dilmaya Saru. According to her, farmers were forced to sell cheaply at first due to middlemen.

‘It has become much easier for farmers now that they have started sending abroad,’ said Saru. ‘It has also become easier because everyone is confident that the money from the transaction through the cooperative will not be lost.’ Preparations are underway to send 20,000 kg in the first phase after grading and packaging. 

Experts say that pesticide-free bean farming will help in an environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural system. Local Karmawati Sunari Magar from Dhunganabensi says that she is in a hurry to collect the beans and then grade them. She also knows that the beans here have now been certified organic since they have been cultivated using traditional organic methods. She said that farmers earn between Rs 20,000 and Rs 200,000 by selling white beans.