MYAGDI: Buddhibir Pun of Tikot, Annapurna Rural Municipality-7 in Myagdi, earns up to Rs 700,000 annually through vegetable farming.
The 46-year-old cultivates a variety of fresh vegetables—including cabbage, leafy greens, potatoes—as well as kiwi, on 15 ropanis of land for vegetables and five ropanis for kiwi. His success in farming has made him self-reliant and created employment opportunities, all from his own village.
Before taking up farming 16 years ago, Pun worked in Qatar for five years. “If you work hard in agriculture, you can earn a decent living,” he said. “I earn between Rs 500,000 and 700,000 annually by selling fresh produce.” A ward member as well, Pun tends to his farm in the mornings and evenings and spends his afternoons on community work.
Gam Prasad Phagami, former ward chairman and resident of neighboring Gharamdi village, has also turned to commercial vegetable farming after his term ended. He cultivates cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, and leafy greens on five ropanis of land and has built three plastic tunnels for tomato farming.
His neighbor, Game Bahadur Pun, a ward member, is also engaged in commercial farming of seasonal and off-season vegetables and potatoes.
Farmers from Tikot and Gharamdi sell their produce in the district headquarters, Beni, and the provincial capital, Pokhara. According to ward member Buddhibir Pun, more than 50 commercial farmers are active in the area, and vehicles transport vegetables to market regularly.
Tikot and Gharamdi, situated at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level, produce vegetables highly sought after for their freshness, taste, and organic quality.
“Potatoes worth over Rs 20 million and cabbage worth Rs 10 million are sold from this area every year,” said Pun. The cold climate and organic farming methods make the produce especially popular among consumers.
Agriculture Officer Shyam Sharan Kurmi from Annapurna Rural Municipality noted that a “vegetable pocket program” has been implemented in Tikot. Under this program, farmers have received seeds, plastic tunnels, and irrigation materials to support organic vegetable production.
Instead of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which are expensive and potentially harmful to health, farmers here rely on traditional and organic methods. Tika Tilija Pun, another local farmer, shared that they use cow and buffalo excrement to prevent and treat plant diseases.
“We collect urine from cows and buffaloes in plastic bottles and apply it to the roots of the plants when needed,” he said. “Chemical fertilizers haven’t even been introduced in Tikot yet.” Each farmer in the area keeps animal urine stored in their sheds for agricultural use.
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