Chandra Tamrakar of Nayagaun Okhreni, Dhurkot Rural Municipality-1, who is employed abroad, has moved his family from the city to the village and is cultivating Akbar chillies commercially.
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The number of people migrating from the mountains to the Terai and cities is increasing. There is no plan to stop those migrating from the mountains or to return those who have already left.
Chandra Tamrakar of Nayagaun Okhreni, Dhurkot Rural Municipality-1, who is in foreign employment, has moved his family from the city to the village and started commercial cultivation of Akbare chillies.
Chandra, who has kept his family in the city and his foreign employment, has been cultivating Akbare chillies in Okhreni for the past two years. After spending eight years in the city, he saw the potential of returning to the village from Oman. Chandra, who works as a chef on an Omani ship, gets a month off after working for two months. With this facility, Chandra Tamrakar and his wife Meena Tamrakar have shown their hard work by planting chillies on the barren land in Okhreni.
They are cultivating Akbare chillies, vegetable cultivation in 18 plastic tunnels, 500 orange trees and 300 banana trees on 70 ropanis of land in Okhreni Agriculture and Livestock Farm, which has invested a total of Rs. 4.5 million. The farm also has five buffaloes and two siroi, four birs and 15 local goats.
Chandra, who works as a chef on an Omani ship, gets 30 days off after working for 60 days. The company pays for his round-trip travel expenses from Oman to Kathmandu and Bhairahawa. He said that due to this facility, it is possible for him to come home and spend his vacation time managing the farm. The last time he came home was on Kartik 1. He is currently busy with the work of the firm. Chandra said that he is now looking forward to finding a job in Oman on Mangsir 1.
Seven workers work on a monthly salary and 25 seasonal workers work on the farm. Workers working in the firm receive between 12,000 and 25,000 rupees per month, including food and accommodation. Maniska Gharti Magar of Pyuthan Naubihini Rural Municipality-2 Kurtibang said that they work from morning to evening. They have been working at the farm since last Baisakh. Before that, work was being done by local seasonal workers. She said that they are happy after getting regular work.
Meena is looking after the management side of the farm. She said that the decision to return to the village and start farming has been very beneficial. ‘We have moved forward by making everything professional,’ she said, ‘It makes me even happier when everyone praises and tells us that they are inspired.’ This year, 50 quintals of chillies have been sold from her farm from 30,000 Akbar plants. Meena said that they were sold at a rate of Rs 250 per kg.
She estimates that more than 100 quintals of chillies will be produced this year. Currently, the farm is busy picking chillies and sending them to the market. She said that there is no problem in marketing as there are markets in Tamghas, Arghakhanchi and Butwal. ‘If we can produce, there is no problem in the market,’ she said, ‘Now we are thinking of collecting the products of others as well.’ Chandra said that currently, they are not able to produce according to the market demand. This chilli is sold more especially in noodle producing companies.
For marketing, he personally contacts the companies that need Akbar chilli and arranges the arrangements. Chandra estimates that the farm will earn around Rs 2 million this year. He says that he is gradually increasing the investment in the firm. ‘We are increasing the investment to establish ourselves in this,’ he said, ‘After leaving foreign employment, all my time will be spent in this firm.’
Chandra, who is cultivating 40 ropanis of lease and 30 ropanis of his own field, pays Rs 40,000 in rent annually. There are no other problems on the farm other than irrigation. Chandra said that there are problems with irrigation as it is located at a slightly higher location.
Dhurkot Rural Municipality Chairman Bhupal Pokharel said that the Tamrakar couple's Akbare pepper farming is an inspiration for others. 'They have worked hard and cultivated very well, which has inspired all of us,' he said, 'There is a problem of irrigation, the three levels of government are working together to solve it.' He said that they have provided free transportation for the Akbare pepper farming. He said that initiatives are also being taken to build an advanced nursery.
CCTV cameras have also been installed on the farm. Chandra monitors the farm even when he is abroad. Dhurkot Rural Municipality Chairman Pokharel said that when the municipality's vehicle goes to the market empty, they are providing assistance by transporting pepper to markets including Tamghas and Butwal. He said that the municipality is preparing to support the establishment of a nursery on the farm for the sale and distribution of seedlings to expand Akbar pepper cultivation.
