Doti Entrepreneur Finds Success and Empowerment Through Pickle Business

Dang. Asharani Chaudhary of Lamahi-5, Lamahi, primarily earns her living through the pickle business. She is currently at the Lumbini Province-level festival underway in Ghorahi to sell her pickles. She mentions that because this is her main occupation, she frequently attends various fairs and festivals organized in the district. She states that she has been continuing the pickle business for the past 13 years as it is a good source of income.

She is busy producing and selling pickles made from bamboo shoots, green chilies, bitter gourd, fenugreek, and mangoes, among others. She noted that sales are better during festivals and fairs than at other times. “Mango pickle sells the most,” she said, “I earn more than NPR 25,000 monthly from this business.” Asharani explains that she started making and selling pickles commercially after receiving training from an organization called SWAN Nepal.

She stated, “I sell pickles ranging from NPR 250 to 500 per kilogram depending on the type.” She also shared her experience of producing and selling pickles and occasionally serving as a trainer in skill development programs organized by local levels for women.

She points out that many women face difficulties in production and sales even after receiving training related to this field. At 40 years old, she has strong family support. She is also a former Kamlari (bonded laborer). She expressed happiness about being able to earn an income by engaging in her own business. She mentioned that for the pickle business operated under the Lajajuni Former Kamlari Pickle Industry, she keeps mangoes in stock a year in advance.

She suggested that local governments should take initiatives to market the products made by women entrepreneurs. Asharani mentioned that other women who wish to run pickle businesses commercially often lag due to financial constraints.

It is her view that women need to be connected to skills to make them economically empowered. She advises the general public to use pickles produced in their own villages. “We do not use any chemicals; the pickles we produce are good,” she said. Recently, mixed pickles have been the main choice for customers at fairs and festivals.