Ganesh Bahadur Shrestha, a permanent resident of Shailung Rural Municipality, Ward No-3, Dhunge, is a testament to the power of determination and transformation. He has transitioned from subsistence farming to a thriving agro-entrepreneur, showcasing that with unwavering dedication, opportunities can be created. A few years ago, Ganesh struggled with farming at a subsistence level, but today, he is a successful agro-entrepreneur. He hails from a smallholder family and encountered a turning point in his life in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
The COVID-19 crisis brought about immense challenges, making it difficult to sustain day-to-day activities. While various organizations extended temporary support and assistance, it was Rural Reconstruction Nepal (RRN) that introduced a lasting change in Ganesh’s life. RRN initiated the Smallholder’s Empowerment by Entrepreneurship Development (SEED) project, with a focus on supporting the formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in different villages, of which Ganesh became a proud member.
Under the guidance of the SEED project and with technical and partial financial support from dedicated staff members, Ganesh embarked on a journey that led him towards nursery raising and organic farming. He received training in agroecology and the production of off-season and seasonal vegetables, thanks to RRN’s involvement. More significantly, his efforts have become an inspiration for other smallholders, igniting their interest in agro-enterprises with a focus on pro-organic, business-oriented farming.
Today, Ganesh has expanded his agricultural endeavors by establishing shared net houses, which enable him to cultivate off-season vegetables and engage in pro-organic farming. The RRN SEED project provided essential support, including a modest number of seeds and saplings, along with training. Regular technical assistance from the project has played a pivotal role in helping Ganesh turn a once seemingly impossible venture into a profitable and healthy business. He now firmly believes that organic farming can be both lucrative and beneficial for one’s health.
Ganesh’s success story speaks volumes. He has sold cauliflower and cabbage worth Rs. 100,000, potatoes worth Rs. 100,000, radishes worth Rs. 30,000, and carrots worth Rs. 40,000 annually. Furthermore, he has taken on the task of producing bio-fertilizers (organic) using locally available plants and cow urine.
With the substantial income from his organic farming, Ganesh manages his household expenses and invests in the education of his children and grandchildren. Looking ahead, he plans to cultivate red radishes and a local Sikkimese pea variety, an indigenous crop of the Dolakha district known for its high market demand and prices. He prioritizes organic vegetable production, particularly cauliflower and cabbage, with the confidence that business-oriented farming is an effective means of increasing income and improving livelihoods.
Ganesh is scaling up his nursery tunnels, and the project is gearing up to further support him, aiming to present him as a model smallholder promoting pro-organic entrepreneurship. This success story has inspired other farmers in the community, helping them recognize the attractiveness and demand for organic farming as a promising agri-business, aligning with today’s generation’s emphasis on better food and overall health.
Ganesh expresses his heartfelt appreciation for the project’s concept and unwavering support in promoting pro-organic agro-entrepreneurship. He believes it is a path to a brighter future for smallholders, their communities, and, more broadly, for everyone concerned about improved food and health.
