"The farm brought us brothers together. It was simply a miracle," said Surjkumar Magar Malla, president of Magar Malla Agriculture Farm which has been involved in chicken and fish production. Magar, who's the brain behind the farm, had dreamt of this harmony between family members, he said. "Brothers, relatives have come closer as they've come back to their native land. Everyone is working happily and earning sufficiently. I had expected this while opening the farm and this has come true," he said with a sense of pride.
Surjkumar is the eldest grandchild of Pahal Magar Malla. Pahal's family has extended to 25 households and the families had been living in different districts of the country including Kathmandu, Kaski and elsewhere. Chhag village, where the grandchildren of Pahal were born and grew up was gradually forgotten by them, informed Surjkumar. "We could not meet each other even during festivals. Our children would not recognize their own cousins. On the other hand, everyone was struggling just for survival in their respective places. So we thought what has been the use of leaving our village?" Surjkumar said.
Surjkumar and his two brothers, who lived in Damauli market then brainstormed over the way to bring the families closer. "We took decision to open agricultural cooperative and started working towards establishing it," he informed. Narayan Magar Malla and Chandra Kumar Magar Malla the two brothers fully supported him. The family had some ancestral land and there was no lack of irrigation facility. The trio thought to open poultry and fish farming. In 2008, the cooperative was registered and the Magar Malla brothers ventured into new business.
"We collected certain amount from each household and some contributed more. In addition, we took loan. All that made around Rs 4.2 million, enough cash to start this," said Surjkumar. Right from the very first year, the farm gave pretty good return. "We started making money from the very first year. Everyone then got even more encouraged."
Last year, the family's farm made a net profit of Rs 600,000. Transactions and account are kept transparent while return is distributed as per responsibility. The members who do not live in Damauli frequent the farm and do the needful tasks. "Some brothers, who do not live there, don't contribute in farm activities as others do and thus are paid accordingly. However, they give their best when they are here. Our motto is to promote the farm by taking everyone's constructive involvement," said Surjkumar.
The fish farm with seven ponds is stretched in five ropanis of land while the poultry farming has occupied two ropanis. So far, the farm has sold over 20,000 chickens. "We don't have problem of market," informed Narayan. He added that both fish and chicken are highly demanded in the local market itself. "Actually, we have not been able to meet the demand. The local market consumes all. There's still much demand for fish," he said.
Magar Malla brothers are happy that their fish and chicken are grabbed right from their farm. Late comers are often sent disappointed. "What to do? We cannot fulfill everyone's demand as we have limited production," said Narayan. "They give order over mobile phone, we try to satisfy all but the service is always provided on first come first basis," he added.
Noting the remarkable initiative of this family, District Agriculture Office has provided aid of Rs 500,000 to the farm along with technical support. And buoyed with success, the family now has plans up its sleeve to expand their farm's capacity.
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