Mahesh Bahadur Singh finds self-reliance through commercial organic manure production
Mahendranagar (Kanchanpur): Mahesh Bahadur Singh, 39, of Bagphanta in Bhimdatta Municipality-19, has become self-reliant through the commercial production of gadfly manure. His earlier identity as an active member of the Nepal Communist Party (UML) until five years ago has changed in recent years, and he has emerged as a leading producer of organic manure in a short period.
Expressing dissatisfaction with politics and internal factionalism, Singh said he has distanced himself from political activities and has recently been seeking alternative livelihoods through agriculture and production in his village. He said he has been involved in gadfly manure production by renting land in Bagphanta for the past one and a half years and is currently unable to meet the growing demand from farmers.
“There is high demand for fertilizer made from gadaula in Dhangadhi, Dadeldhura and locally,” Singh said. “The use of gadaula fertilizer increases soil fertility and the food produced from it is also considered beneficial for health.” According to him, if fertilizer production is started with an investment of Rs 1.5 million, it can become a major employment sector for youth.
“Currently, I am producing fertilizer in tons to meet farmers’ demand,” he said. “The goal is to expand production up to metric tons.” He added that the fertilizer is being sold at Rs 25 to 30 per kilogram, with banana farmers, nurseries, rooftop vegetable growers, and fruit producers among the main buyers.
“This year alone, 100 quintals have been sold,” he said, adding that the fertilizer produced is being delivered directly to farmers’ fields.
Singh, who is focused on promoting a chemical-free farming system and proper management of cattle sheds, is also operating a cowshed by taking in 25 to 30 stray animals from the market area. “Fertilizer is produced from stray cattle, and I have been managing that manure properly,” he said. “I started this effort because I wanted to bring improvements in cowshed management myself.”
He informed that he rents eight kathas of land and pays Rs 30,000 annually. “There is also a plan to produce agar from wheat, and firewood, incense, and lamps from cow dung,” he said. “Gadyaula manure improves soil fertility along with soil treatment.”
Having received training in gadyaula manure production under the Paddy Zone Program, Singh stressed that the government should provide necessary incentives and grants to youth engaged in agriculture.
Gadyaula manure is currently produced in only a few places in Kanchanpur. He emphasized the need to prioritize organic fertilizers over chemical ones, arguing that chemical fertilizers reduce soil fertility and productivity.
Singh further stressed the need to expand production, saying gadfly manure is still in its early stage in Kanchanpur. “Local levels should also introduce targeted programs for such production and businesses,” he said. “In an agricultural country, farmers should not always be at a loss. There must be encouragement through relief, grants, and programs that promote easy and technology-based farming.”