Dhubratara agricultural cooperative sets example through expansion of organic gourd farming

Kanchanpur: The Dhubratara Community Development Agricultural Cooperative, located in Jhalari, Shuklaphanta Municipality-10, Kanchanpur, has demonstrated that a combination of skills, collective effort, and hard work can serve as a strong foundation for agricultural prosperity. The cooperative’s commercial organic gourd farming has generated income, created employment opportunities for local youth, and encouraged members to engage in commercial agriculture.

The cooperative has been cultivating gourds on 10 kathas of leased land and has been selling more than two quintals of gourds daily. So far, more than 12 quintals have been sold, generating an income of Rs 36,000, informed cooperative manager Lalita Pant. According to her, the gourds are being sold easily in the local market at Rs 30 to Rs 32 per kg.

“There is high demand in the market for gourds produced using organic fertilizers and safe pesticides,” said Manager Pant. She added that the agricultural school operated in collaboration with NIDS has played an important role in encouraging cooperative members to engage in commercial farming through training and skill development.

The agricultural school provided practical training on soil selection, field preparation, seed production, fertilizer management, irrigation, and creeper crop management. Pant said that applying the learned skills in practice resulted in better-than-expected production.

Cooperative Chairman Lal Bahadur Air said that collective gourd cultivation was initiated with the aim of linking members to income-generating agricultural activities. “After good production and income, other members are also encouraged to engage in commercial agriculture. The belief that self-employment through agriculture is possible while staying in the village has increased,” he said.

The cooperative has also provided employment to two local youths for gourd cultivation. Chairman Air stated that income from sales will be deposited into the cooperative’s fund and invested in programs aimed at increasing members’ earnings. He added that an estimated 40 to 60 quintals of gourds are yet to be produced from the fields.

Previously, the cooperative has also earned income through the cultivation of rice on one bigha of leased land, mustard on one bigha, and potatoes on 10 katthas. It has also been providing fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural inputs to its members at subsidized rates.

According to Karan Singh Budhaair, head of the municipality’s agriculture branch, the cooperative’s initiative has demonstrated its effective role in production, employment generation, and local economic development beyond traditional savings and credit activities. He said the cooperative has set an example of self-reliance through collective effort, skills, and modern agricultural practices while remaining in the village.