The 'Maya Dharane' turmeric industry, which started in Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Ward No. 20, has not only increased the income of farmers, but has also given a new direction to the local community, youth entrepreneurship, and women's employment.

Here, turmeric produced by 350 households is processed and branded locally and taken to the market. However, its impact is not limited to production and sale. It has contributed to the development of the local economy, youth employment and market network.

Farmer Bhuwan Rai says, ‘Earlier, it was a challenge to worry about selling our products and find a way to reach the market. However, with the opening of the ‘Maya Dharane’ factory, not only sales have been ensured, but we have also got employment and market access for the youth. Now our hard work is sure to get a price.’ He said that he sold turmeric worth Rs 120,000 in one season.

Poonam Rai, a resident of Dharan-20, says, ‘Earlier, we were forced to take turmeric to the Dharan market to sell it. Since there was no industry, we had to sell it at a cheap price from traders. When they did not pay the price, we had to grind it and sell it in the streets. However, with the industry coming into operation, we have become confident. Now, the worry of whether it will be sold or not has gone away. We have been selling at Rs 320 per kg. So far, I have sold 400 kg of turmeric to Maya Dharane.’

The industry employs 14 employees, many of whom are young people and women. They have gained financial independence and experience in skill development by being involved in packaging, washing and drying. Committee member Sameer Tamang says, ‘We are not just focused on sales. The main goal is to take local products to the international market while ensuring branding and quality. In this process, providing employment to youth and women is a priority.’

Dharan’s Ward No. 20 is considered an agricultural pocket area. Turmeric in particular has become market-friendly. Farmer Ram Bahadur Rai says, ‘Now, no matter how many kg of turmeric we produce, the market trusts us. The collaboration between youth and industry has increased the value of our hard work.’

The demand for turmeric is increasing not only in the local market but also in the foreign market. The ‘Maya Dharane’ brand has brought the identity of Nepali products to the world level while being exported to countries including the UK, Hong Kong, Japan, America, Poland, Korea. Tourists do not miss buying turmeric when they come to Dharan, and they promote it by posting photos of packets on social media. 

The industry has not only provided economic benefits, but has also increased self-reliance and good communication in the local community. Om Suchcha Rai, secretary of the ‘Maya Dharane’ turmeric company, says, ‘Youth, women and farmers have benefited from the encouragement and branding of local products. This is not just a business, but an example of social development.’

According to him, 200 kg of turmeric is currently being produced daily. The turmeric produced by local farmers is processed and made into organic turmeric. He said that a farmer buys up to 900 kg of turmeric. He says, ‘We are buying it at Rs 300 to 320 per kg, depending on the quality of the turmeric produced by the farmers. So far, turmeric produced by farmers across Dharan-20 is being consumed,’ he said.

The initiative of the municipality has brought ease in the operation of the industry. The sub-metropolitan city has provided everything from building construction to the necessary machines for processing. An agreement has been reached that the municipality will get 34 percent of the profit. As envisioned by Mayor Hark Sampang, the proposal to open an industry in Ward 20 was approved by the executive meeting. The construction committee has informed that the municipality has invested Rs. 1.65 million and the consumer Rs. 28,611 in the construction of the industry building.