RAUTAHAT, May 9: Farmers in around two dozen villages in Rautahat district are earning a good income through vegetable farming. 

These farmers are not only making good money by producing off-season vegetables, but are setting an example in the society.

Munif Miya, a farmer of Jhunkhuwa-8, has been earning around Rs 20,000-30,000 per month by cultivating vegetables in one bigha of land. They money has worked wonders for his family of five sons and two daughters. “We are now self-reliant on vegetables,” he added.

Many farmers like Munif of Jhunkhuwa are earning a good income through off-season vegetables farming.

Janif Miya, a farmer of Saruattha-8, has been doing vegetables farming in a land plot take on lease.

He has been earning around 50,000 per month. “Vegetables farming has enabled me to send kids to good school,” he added.

Locals have started vegetables farming on the banks of Bagmati River which flow through the eastern part of the district. Locals of Brahmhapuri and Katarban are earning more than foreign employment through vegetables farming. Likewise, farmers of Hajmaniya, Saruattha, Jhunjhunwa and Vediyahi, among others, have taken up vegetables farming in recent years.

Commercial farming of vegetables is not only bringing a good income for farmers, but also reducing dependency on India for vegetables. Vegetables grow in the district are also sent to Kathmandu and major markets of the country.

Local farmers say that return from vegetables farming is very good in comparison to investments made in other sectors. According to Safiullah, a farmer of Hajminiya, only around Rs 5,000 to 7,000 per bigha needs to be invested for irrigation, pesticides and seed, among others. “We can easily earn Rs 20,000-25,000 per bigha if there is no pest attack,” he said.

Data compiled by the District Agricultural Development Office (DADO), Rautahat, shows that farmers in Rautahat have cultivate cabbage in 800 hectares, cauliflower in 1,640 hectares, tomato in 410 hectares, radish in 50 hectares, okra in 1,700 hectares, cucumber in 350 hectares and pumpkin in 250 hectares. Similarly, bitter gourd has been cultivated in 650 hectares, green beans in 300 hectares, bottle gourd in 1,260 hectares, chili in 425 hectares and brinjal in 500 hectares. 

Raj Narayan Yadav, chief of DADO Rautahat, told Republica that farmers in Aauraiya, Gangapipara, Madhopur, Saruattha, Hajminiya, Rajdevi, Mudbalwa, Brahmhapuri and Belbichawa, among other villages, are involved in commercial vegetables farming. “Climatic condition and soil in these villages is suitable for vegetables,” he added.

 
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