JHAPA: Pradeep Khanal, a young farmer from Birtamod Municipality-7, is producing an impressive 500 kilograms of bodi (yard-long beans) daily through his enterprise, Hamro Krishi Farm.
Despite the high yield, he has recently been struggling to manage the harvest and transportation to market.
Khanal has cultivated yard-long beans on 16 kathaas out of 45 bighas of rented land. Of these, eight kathaas are currently yielding crops while the rest are in different stages of growth.
He began farming on a single plot seven years ago after leaving a contract job and has since expanded into commercial agriculture.
The harvested yard-long beans are sold through seven fair-priced vegetable shops operated under a municipal initiative. These outlets sell vegetables at a support price set by Birtamod Municipality, which also compensates farmers if market prices fall below the support price.
Currently, yard-long beans are sold at prices ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 100 per kilogram, depending on market fluctuations. The municipality ensures food safety by checking pesticide residue before approving vegetables for sale.
In addition to yard-long beans, Khanal cultivates 20 bighas of paddy, five bighas of assorted vegetables, 15 bighas of fruits such as guavas, and four bighas of gourd, okra, and chili. He reports an annual profit of Rs 10 million from his diversified farming.
“My income is growing each year. Not only have I benefited, but dozens of others now have employment, and consumers are getting fresh, local produce,” Khanal said. He estimates vegetable sales will reach Rs 20 million this year.
What began as a small venture has grown into a livelihood provider for 25 full-time farmworkers and many more seasonal laborers. “I’m proud I chose commercial farming in my own country,” he added.
Birtamod Municipality is promoting a campaign titled ‘Not from abroad, but from our soil’ to boost local production and reduce reliance on imported fruits and vegetables.
Rajendra Prasad Kadariya, head of the municipality’s agriculture branch, confirmed that the municipality supports producers like Khanal by setting minimum prices and offering compensation if market rates fall.
“Our aim is to encourage farmers not just in yard-long beans cultivation, but in all types of local produce,” Kadariya said.
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