Tamang of Bhir Gaun of Dhankuta has earned name and fame as an exemplary farmer and was also awarded Rs 100,000 and a letter of appreciation from the president last year. Not only has he received social prestige but has also elevated his living standard by his involvement in in agriculture and animal husbandry.
He recalls his red letter day, when he was chosen to receive the prestigious award from the president, as best day of his life. "I had never felt so happy for the last 30 years in my agriculture profession as much as on that day," Tamang told Republica.
Tamang, an intermediate level graduate in 1982, could have easily got a good white-collar job about three decades ago. But he was not interested in working for others. Instead, he bought vegetable seeds of Rs 5 and started his own agriculture business. The business he started with Rs 5 has not made him a millionaire. He earns some 10 million in a year now.
"If one can start commercial farming in an organized way, one can make a decent earning even if the products are sold at low prices," he said.
Tamang who started his vegetable farming from a small garden has now spread his business to 210 ropanis of land. In course of time, he has introduced modern way of farming and diversity in agriculture, which have helped him to become a successful entrepreneur.
Out of his total land, 60 ropanis of land is allocated for organic tea farming. Similarly, he produces 320 kilograms of cardamom in 50 ropanis of land annually.
When cardamom farming suffered a great setback due to various diseases, he started an innovative method of producing saplings from cardamom seeds, which were resistant to viruses. Thus his pioneering method rescued the ailing cardamom farming.
Many farmers of Eastern Region visit his nursery to buy cardamom seeds and saplings. The nursery, which covers 10 ropanis of land, was bought at Rs 1.2 million and last year he earned Rs 6.1 million by selling plants. This year he plans to sell plants worth Rs 15 million.
Three years ago, he started kiwi farming in six ropanis and that venture is now earning a good profit. Along with tea, cardamom and kiwi farming, he is also involved in animal husbandry. He has planted Uttis forest in 60 ropanis of land as well.
"We don't use chemical fertilizer but we use organic fertilizer of buffalo and earthworm," he said.
His father used to scold him for investing in tea and cardamom farming at the beginning. He was also humiliated by the villagers. Now, he is not only earning high but also providing employment to other people.
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Tamang, an exemplary farmer
