Women in Tikapur embrace off-season vegetable farming for economic empowerment

TIKAPUR: Women in Tikapur, Kailali, are increasingly engaging in off-season vegetable farming to boost their income. In Satgharuwa, Tikapur-1, women have collectively started off-season vegetable cultivation for their livelihoods. Under the Milijuli Farmers Group, 23 women from underprivileged backgrounds have been selected and organized to cultivate vegetables.

Previously working as daily wage laborers, these women have now leased 12 katthas of land for farming. In coordination with the local municipality's Agriculture Development Branch, the Sustainable Development Society Bhajani, through the Local Initiative for Community Empowerment and Development project, has provided them with lead farmer training and technical knowledge, equipping them with skills for off-season vegetable farming.

Currently, their fields are planted with cauliflower, tomatoes, chilies, okra, and potatoes. Potatoes planted in Mangsir are now ready for sale. Students from the Faculty of Agriculture at Sudurpashchim University are providing technical support to these women farmers. Technical student Laxmi Tharu stated that they are studying the impact of different farming methods and technologies while teaching the farmers. "We are teaching them how to cultivate the same crops using different techniques," she said, adding, "We are also instructing them on crop protection, environmental conservation, and how to maximize production."

Asha Chaudhary noted that the women have become aware of the disasters that can affect farming alongside their livelihoods. "Life has become easier for these women who used to work as laborers now that they are involved in income-generating activities," she said. "They no longer go for daily wage work; they work in their own fields, and the vegetables are sold right at home. They are happy to earn income from their own land."

Farmer Krishni Chaudhary and her 23 neighbors, who previously worked as daily wage laborers, shared that the project's initiative to lease land for vegetable farming has helped them manage their households and overcome financial difficulties. "The land has been leased for two years, and we are earning by farming it," she said. "We have learned a lot. After spending many years in hard labor, we have now learned a path to earn income and see our future in this vegetable farming."

Similarly, women in Dashgharuwa have also started onion farming, and their produce is now ready for sale. Since the women farmers produce organic vegetables, they face no issues with the market. They sell some of the produce at home and the rest at the local agricultural market. They expressed that receiving subsidies, necessary agricultural tools, and materials like poly-houses from the local municipality would make their work even easier.