Phulo Devi Mahato, a 45-year-old resident of Rangeli Municipality 1, Bintole, found hope and prosperity through her involvement in the Suryoday Farmers group. This transformative journey was made possible by the dedicated efforts of LCWS, an implementing partner of LWF Nepal. With a family of four, including her husband, son, and mother-in-law, Phulo Devi embarked on a semi-commercial vegetable farming venture that changed their lives for the better.
In the initial stages, the Mahato family practiced traditional farming on a small piece of land, unaware of modern agricultural techniques and lacking access to vital resources. Their vegetable production was meager due to poor-quality seeds and inadequate irrigation facilities, leaving them trailing behind other commercial vegetable farmers.
However, when LCWS formed the Suryoday Farmers group and initiated interventions in commercial vegetable farming, Phulo Devi’s family eagerly embraced the opportunity. They participated in orientation programs conducted by LCWS and received essential support, including high-quality vegetable seeds and improved irrigation facilities. Consequently, their vegetable production increased substantially, leading to a significant rise in their income. Phulo Devi Mahato also learned about selling vegetables through a grading system, enabling them to fetch better prices in the market.
Phulo Devi reflects on their remarkable journey, saying, “Our primary source of income used to be agriculture, with a small vegetable plot covering just 0.096 hectares. Today, we’ve expanded our farm to 0.68 hectares. In the past, we struggled to make ends meet and often went without enough food. Heavy rainfall would even damage our house. But thanks to vegetable farming, we’ve been able to build a sturdy home, and our quality of life has greatly improved. We used to cultivate vegetables without adequate knowledge, but now we follow proper procedures, reducing the risk of crop loss. This change has had a profound impact on our lives. We once struggled to meet our basic needs, but now, through vegetable farming, we have a steady income. In the future, we plan to expand our farm even more systematically.”
The Mahato family has now gained extensive experience in semi-commercial vegetable farming. With their increased income, they purchased additional land and expanded their crop variety. Throughout the year, they cultivate cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli from September to November, followed by tomatoes, chillies, bitter gourd, pointed gourd, and lady’s finger from November to January. December to February sees the cultivation of cucumber, pumpkin, and brinjal, among others. During the remaining periods, they grow seasonal spinach, various beans, and peas. Phulo Devi proudly states, “We typically engage in 4 to 6 seasons of vegetable farming, earning between NRs. 150,000 to 2,00,000 in each season. My husband has asthma, and his regular medication is essential. Thanks to the income from vegetable farming, his treatment and running our household have become much easier. I’m immensely grateful to Lutheran for their invaluable support and guidance to communities like ours, who lack assistance and access from the local government.”