Sarki of Shuklaphanta earns Rs. 7 lakh annually from commercial vegetable farming

Kanchanpur: Siddharaj Sarki, a resident of Sisaiya, Shuklaphanta Municipality-9, Kanchanpur, has been engaged in commercial vegetable farming on leased land, earning an annual income of over Rs. 7 lakh.

With two decades of experience in farming, Sarki cultivates vegetables on one and a half bighas of rented land, supporting his family of four entirely through agriculture. His earnings have not only covered household expenses but also helped him purchase land for a house, repay loans, and fund his daughter's marriage.

"Vegetable farming has been my sole source of income," said Sarki, recalling his early days when he used to cultivate crops seasonally along the riverbanks. Inspired by the success of his small-scale farming, he transitioned to commercial vegetable production, initially borrowing money from relatives to get started. "After earning well in the first year, I repaid my debt and reinvested the profits into farming. Since then, I haven’t had to rely on anyone for financial help," he added.

To enhance his farming techniques, Sarki received training from the Agricultural Knowledge Center, mastering modern vegetable farming methods. Being the only commercial farmer in his ward, he has also benefited from a municipal subsidy for plastic tunnels, which he utilizes for year-round vegetable production.

Having previously worked in India for two decades, Sarki now earns three times more in Nepal from farming than he did abroad. Encouraged by this success, he is considering bringing his son back from India to help expand the business. Currently, he grows gourds, beans, peppers, radishes, and green peas, selling green peppers worth Rs. 20,000 per month and gourds worth over Rs. 50,000. Plans are also underway to cultivate cucumbers, bitter gourds, and pumpkins.

As both he and his wife struggle to manage the increasing workload alone, Sarki has hired three daily wage workers. Fortunately, demand for his produce is high, and he does not have to search for buyers, as vegetables sell easily in the local market.

To further increase his earnings, Sarki is focusing on off-season vegetables, which yield higher profits than seasonal crops. Looking ahead, he aims to expand his farming operations and double his income, stating, "I currently earn between Rs. 600,000 to 700,000 annually, but I plan to double that soon."

However, to achieve this goal, Sarki urges authorities to provide grants for electric motors for irrigation and power tillers for plowing—essential resources that would significantly enhance productivity and efficiency.