AMRIT BHANDARI
While a significant number of efforts have been expended both from government and private sectors to improve the country’s agricultural system, no such noteworthy achievements however have been experienced when it comes to automatisation and industrialization of the agriculture in the truest sense. While growing number of farmers are making it as a living, agriculture remains under exploited profession for majority of Nepalese, despite it offering tremendous potential for country’s economy and people’s financial and physical wellbeing. Lack of access to information, modest use of technology, and lack of robust infrastructure such as roads are primary obstacles in motivating farmers to become more engaged and involved in commercial agricultural farming. Modern technology has brought significant changes in the agricultural sector; nonetheless there are few cynicisms in the process of its proper and genuine application such as proportionate use of pesticides and other medicines. Notwithstanding the loopholes of technology, systematic practices around the world have proved that technology definitely contributes to the betterment of agricultural productions.
It was on last April, I afforded to visit Joshipur, a village of Kailali district where a large number of local farmers are engaged in vegetables farming, which has produced a sound return on investment for them. Upon recommendation of few famers and general public including social activists, I made my way to see Layak Ram Chaudhary, one of the most enthusiastic farmers I have ever come across with a knack for technology and innovation. Just with a small patch of land, I am overwhelmed to see him making fortunes, winning public laurels and becoming an inspiration for those around him and beyond. His contribution to the community, economically and socially is substantial, his willingness to help others goes beyond word and his friendliness is contagious. But he doesn’t’ end his journey to commercial agriculture here as they say sky is the limit. He has bigger plans and projects in offing. Listening to his ideas and lofty dreams makes me not only spellbound but fueled with vigor as if I want to be the country’s top farmer. He has craving for more in life, he wants to change his life and famers like him and others around the community. What an enthusiasm!
Layak Ram offered me to see his poly-house and off-farm cultivation and proudly explained how he has been successful in vegetable farming. "I have bought a tractor," exuberant Layak Ram showing a pile of appreciation certificates granted by various organisations says,"The land is stretched only in 2 Kattha. The paddy we cultivated here for long time would hardly feed 11 members of my family for 3 to 4 months “A lot of questions bombard into my mind, however, his finesse and spontaneous offering of how he has evolved out to become a cynosure of all eyes shut my mouth," I was compelled to work as a wage labourer for many years just to meet the ends. Sir, when I got an opportunity to participate in the vegetable cultivation training, I learned about the poly-house cultivation."
Poly-house is a small technology that has brought tremendous changes in the life of Layak Ram and many others. While he is definitely a shining example of how a small use of technology along with training and education can make paradigm shift in agriculture farming, there are hundreds of other families who have benefitted from this technology. A project financially supported by the European Union and implemented by Practical Action, when administered in Kailali district literally remade the lives of a number of farmers. Layak Ram is at the forefront of practice- he has been highly successful in learning well and applying it right. "My father originally resented the idea when I told him about the poly-house and vegetable farming in the land where we have been growing paddy conventionally for a long time," shares Layak Ram," it was very difficult to convince him as he did not believe that the poly-house and vegetables farming can turn our life towards prosperity." In spite of his father's disinclination, Layak Ram risked to give it a chance. He collected bamboo batons available locally, bought plastic and ropes in the local market and constructed a poly-house.
"I have learned various technologies during 10-day training about the vegetables farming help me do things right. During the first year, I planted cauliflowers and tomatoes in my land and earned Nrs. 10,000.00, my family’s happiness knew no bound. The earnings gave a new sight to my father and he also encouraged me to further pursue. The next year observed sharp increase in my income to Nrs. 70,000.00 just to offer me more motivation to buy a tractor in instalment payment. Since then, I have never looked back in life. I continue to raise my production levels and generate more earnings helping me to educate my children and sisters with pride" attests Layak Ram. The poly-house has now become a main source of income and it is the appropriate technology to farmers especially those who possess only a small patch of land. The story of Layak Ram is one to represent many farmers in Kailali and a model that can be replicated across the nation. It is also testament to educators, developers and policy makers alike that the relevant technology and corresponding training can pave the way hundreds of thousands in the nation who pursue agriculture as their main business for prosperity.
The construction of poly-house is an easy task. Ropes and plastic along with bamboo's batons and land are enough to construct a poly-house; however, the requirement of materials depends on the size of ploy house. The poly-house should have a clearance height, where anyone can easily enter into to look after the crops or vegetables they grow. The roof of plastic cover can offer the sun rays enter into the house. One needs to be careful while constructing the bamboo's poly house to ensure the house is strong enough to resist rain and wind. The plastic covering makes the house temperature controlled and protects produces from harsh daylight heat, incessant downpour and chilled morning dews.
Poly-houses can be made of up with locally available materials that can significantly reduce the construction cost as affordability becomes a major concern for many farmers. The most discerning benefit of the poly-house is that the farmers can grow both seasonal and off-season vegetables at the same time – off seasons vegetables fetch an attractive price. The design of poly-house requires to be based upon the sound technical principles to ensure the controlled environment for the plant growth. Though a small investment and labour is required to erect it first time, excellent earnings from off-season produces can well offset such investment," affirms Ashik Mandal, technical assistant, District Development Office, Kailali. The construction site must be a firm land and free from potholes as the bamboo's sticks may decay in the loose and moist land and house may fall apart. These houses generally last for three years.
The use of new technology and its access to the poor farmer living in the rural areas of Nepal has proved that it can be one of the important tools in the process of poverty reduction programme in Nepal. Increasing the access to information, expanding applied technologies and raising awareness, government entities and non-government organizations can truly live up to their mission of reducing poverty and developing Nepal’s villages and communities.
As I continue to study, explore and decipher the Nepal’s development landscapes and efforts made by individuals and organizations to change and enrich the lives of many around the country, I can’t help but thank to Mr Ernst Friedrich Fritz Schumacher, an economist in Britain and the author of “Small is Beautiful, 1997”- a study of economics as if people mattered is among the 100 most influential books published since world war and the man behind the Intermediate Technology Development Group, now called Practical Action. Both through his book and Practical Action, Schumacher’s vision and ideas continue to generate increasing momentum in how appropriate technology can challenge the poverty by pulling poor farmers out of grave poverty and famine. On the occasion of his 100th birthday, my wonderful wishes are due to him while I also offer congratulatory mention to our local hero, Layak Ram for his extraordinary and exemplary work.
The writer works at Practical Action Nepal Office.
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