Farmers are engaged in collective farming to change the situation of barren lands but people have to buy crops and eat them.
Farmers of Galkot Municipality-7 Malm, Tokri have started farming in barren fields in groups. Chairman of the Ramchedhunga Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Group, Bishnu Thapa, said that collective farming has been started to plant only the fruits but not to leave the land barren.
Tokri is a village that is being emptied by foreign employment and migration. According to Chairman Thapa, about 90 percent of the cultivable land is barren. The group has planted potatoes in ten ropanis in the first phase. The group is planning to expand the cultivation of other vegetables and grains. "We are preparing to start commercial cultivation of sichuan pepper, turmeric, akbare chilies, pumpkin, sugarcane along with potatoes," said Chairman Thapa.
According to the group, local Yamakali Thapa has provided land for potato cultivation. Her family members are in Butwal and Japan. Yamakali's turn was turned barren as there was no one to cultivate in the village. "After learning that the group has started cultivating barren land, they have started calling to cultivate in their fields as they are living abroad," said Chairman Thapa.
The group has stated that Rs. 50,000 has been spent immediately on potato farming. The expenses have been borne by 14 farmers participating in the group. Farmer Leela Thapa said that potatoes were planted by bringing seeds from Tarakhola. He said that all the farmers in the group had to work equally while planting potatoes. "There is a good food supply in this place. Now that many have left their homes, the fields are still barren," said Yamakali.
Many people like the group's plan to green the barren village land when people look abroad and in the city. The group estimates that about 400 ropanis of arable land in the basket alone is barren. Until a few years ago, there were only 14 families in the basket of 40 households.
Most of the family members are in Japan for foreign employment. The locals are worried that the village will be emptied in time. Some believe that migration can be stopped if production and employment can be facilitated. The group said that the basket should be developed as a self-reliant village by formulating a comprehensive concept of agriculture and animal husbandry. Chairman of the group Thapa said that the support of state bodies is also needed for that.
Due to its fertile soil, climate and pastures, the area is suitable for agriculture and animal husbandry. With the road network and other facilities available, there is no problem in marketing the products. Chairman Thapa's Ghumte Goat Farm also operates there. The farm has more than 50 goats. He earns well from that. Stating that individuals alone cannot be successful, Chairman Thapa said that he has taken initiative for collective farming with the objective of connecting the entire village to production and income generation.
The villagers have also put forward the concept of community housing in the basket for tourism activities. He is also involved in the tourism promotion of Ramchedhunga, a tourist destination there. The tourism watchdog including Galkot Municipality has invested in providing tourism infrastructure in Ramchedhunga.
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