From A Child Bride To a Modern Farming Trainee – How Speed for Life Changed Chameli Bhandari’s Life
Chameli Bhandari, aged 34, is a permanent residence of Temall Rural Municipality-1. Belonging to poor family restrained her from obtaining education. Soon, she was married to an unemployed man from a nearby village at an early age of 11.
Responsibilities hit her soon. Apart from being a mother of 2, Chameli had to also keep an eye on household activities, rearing livestock and growing vegetables. The hard life forced her husband to fly abroad in search of job opportunities leaving Chameli solely in charge of two children and other duties.
Remittance being the only source of money in the family was unable to bring any substantial differences in the lives of Chameli and her family members, in spite of 10-12 years of hardships of her husband in the Arabian land.
"The only thing we have done is build a small house from my job in abroad"- says her husband despondently.
Her husband returned home few years back. "It was really a very tough time for us, as we had very low income and were financially fragile"- says Chameli. Her husband started working on a daily wage basis after his return.
As the project “Speed for Life-CEAPRED ASIA AID” was launched in her village, Chameli got herself enrolled and has been an active participant in the meetings and trainings. The project has supported her technically on pheromone traps, EM, & Regular follow up & counseling AT & CRP.
"I am thrilled to know that I am the first person in my locality to establish the plastic tunnel and other modern technologies"- says delighted Chameli. I have learnt a lot on modern techniques and cultivation practices from the project staffs. Now, I am also able to disseminate my knowledge to other farmers of my locality"- adds Chameli confidently.
A Model farm includes the spices and vegetable seed production areas. These farms act as a model for proper technology dissemination, demonstration and learning center. Similarly, also being the resource center for multiplication of the local germ plasm for increased productions among the local communities adopting improved climate smart practices as well as introducing modern techniques of production and conservation.
Chameli had earned around NPR. 1, 86, 000 (One Lakh and Eighty Six Thousand) in this season from the farm until now. The other products are being ready and is anticipated to bring at least NPR. 2, 50, 000 (Two Lakh and Fifty Thousand) from the sales.
Project support:
• Three days seed production management training
• GAP training
• IPM tools support
• Regular follow up
Crops/Vegetable seed
• Cucumber, Tomato, Beans, Palungo, bitter gourd, bottle gourd ,
• Total land Coverage: 5 Ropani
Sales record:
• Tomato open 950 kg @ 40 per kg = 38, 000
• Cucumber 857 kg @ 70 per kg = 60, 000
• Beans 100 Kg @ 55 per kg = 5, 500
• Beans Rajma seed 100 kg @ 150= 15, 000
• Palungo seed 150 @ 450 = 67, 500
Total Sale Amount: NPR 1, 86, 000
Market area:
Seed Cooperative Throw Life Seed Company
Fresh vegetable: Local mediator /traders
The farmers from other groups visit her farm and observe the technology. They are eager to establish such farms of their own. Chameli has been supporting the project and also other farmers to disseminate the technology and practices. She is also planning to strengthen her farm and diverse the crops by adding more spices and seeds production. She expects the technical and inputs supports to be continued from the project and is very grateful to the project Speed for Life and CEAPRED-ASIA AID.
A Proud Socially Recognized & Economically Well-off Farmer – How Speed for Life Changed Yougmaya Pakuwal’s Life
Ms.Yougmaya Pakuwal, is a 33 year young and energetic farmer and a permanent resident of Namobuddha-4, Kavre. After receiving a formal education until standard 7, Ms. Yougmaya got married and is now a mother of two sons.
Owning 2 ropani of land, the primary occupation of her family is agriculture. Although, due to traditional practices the harvest was only suffice to her family leaving no any surplus to sell and earn income. Therefore, she further had to work as a daily wage labor to cover the expenses of her children education and for fulfilling other basic needs.
When Vegetable seed & Spices Production & Marketing Project staffs of Speed for Life Project visited her village and formed Farmers group “Laligurans” Yougmaya’s life change for good henceforth. She is one of the group members and have received a member list in the project data base. After participating in two trainings (GAP and Three-Day Vegetable Seed Production Technical Training), Yougmaya was motivated to change the traditional farming practices and shift to fully commercial farming.
Her produces are now sold to Joresalla Vegetable Seed Cooperative, Namobuddha-4 at a reasonable pricing. Her Akabare chilly seeds was able to earn an amount of NPR 3, 92, 70 (Three Lakh and Ninety Two Thousand Seventy). Yougmaya happily uses this income in her children education other necessary expenses.
In this day and age, Yougmaya is a proud economically well off and socially recognized farmer. Her life changed for better and all thanks to Speed for Life through Livelihood Activity Promotion Project. This project encouraged Yougmaya to diversify farming practices and she is forever grateful to CEAPRED /ASIA-AID organizations for providing her this life changing opportunity.
At present, she grows vegetables, tomato seed (sirjana) & Chilly Akabare seed in 2 ropani & land maize in 6 Ropani land. She has also constructed one plastic house for tomato seed crop. She is promoting technology with commercial farming and has regular linkage to Joresalaa Vegetable Seed Cooperative & Life Seed Company & Speed for Life Project staffs.
Sale and income record: Previous
Chilly akabare seed 9 kg 350 gram @4, 200= 39, 270
Expected production in kg and income
Tomato sirjana seed size 6*12 in plastic house
Tomato seed 1.5 kg @ 77, 000 per kg = 1, 15,000
Akabare Chilly seed 18 kg @ 4, 200 per kg = 75, 600
Total expected Amount: NPR 1, 90, 600
