Kailali Farmers Shift to Pesticide-Free Organic Farming

Kailali. Farmers here are shifting toward the production of pesticide-free, natural vegetables. To protect human health and preserve soil quality, 140 farmers have begun cultivating vegetables without the use of pesticides.

Farmers state that they turned to natural farming after realizing the adverse effects of pesticide use on human health. These farmers have organized themselves into eight agricultural groups to conduct their farming activities.

The groups have been formed in Vanagaun and Shankarpur of Tikapur-1, Rajipur and Sitapur of Ward No. 2, Ghiya of Ward No. 3, and Nuklipur of Ward No. 5.

Min Bahadur Chaudhary, a lead farmer of the Asal Chameli Farmers Group in Tikapur-1, Vanagaun, stated that they began this practice three years ago to reduce pesticide use and ensure food safety. 

“We are engaged in organic natural farming to increase soil fertility, boost production, preserve biological organisms, and produce healthy vegetables,” he said. “We turned to this after realizing that we were unknowingly compromising our soil and health. We do not use chemical fertilizers or pesticides in our farming; instead, we make and use organic pesticides at home.”

Farmers produce organic, homemade fertilizers using weeds, decomposed vegetables, and urine. The farmers' group in Vanagaun consists of 15 members, with individuals cultivating land ranging from five to 15 kattha.

Currently, their fields are filled with cucumbers, pumpkins, bottle gourds, okra, chilies, and tomatoes. Recently, as consumers have begun to understand the importance of pesticide-free produce, they have started buying vegetables directly from the fields. Any surplus is sold at the local market in Tikapur, Chaudhary informed.

Tikapur Municipality has arranged a separate 'stall' at the local market to assist farmers practicing organic farming. However, farmers have expressed concerns that despite the organic nature of their produce, the market price remains the same as other vegetables. Farmer Rubina Chaudhary stated that there should be a price difference for pesticide-free and organic vegetables. 

“We are producing in a way that contributes to human health and environmental protection, yet the market price is the same as other vegetables,” she said. “This is causing us hardship. Everyone must now recognize our hard work; both consumers and the government should be serious about encouraging farmers who do not use pesticides.”

An organization named Sevak Nepal is providing support for natural farming to improve farmers' livelihoods and ensure consumer health benefits, with collaboration from Tikapur Municipality.

Sevak Nepal Project Officer Prem Chaudhary stated that the organization is providing seeds, technology, and other technical support to the 140 farmers involved in the groups.

He informed that in addition to raising awareness against the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, they are also teaching farmers how to make liquid fertilizer using locally available materials as an alternative.