From Barren Fields to Prosperity: How One Farmer’s Determination Transformed His Life in Rural Nepal
Tanahu District, Nepal
In the picturesque hills of Bandipur Rural Municipality in Nepal’s Tanahu district, Damodar Dhakal has emerged as an inspiring example of agricultural entrepreneurship. Since 2007, Dhakal has transformed what was once barren land into a flourishing vegetable farm spanning 50 ropani (approximately 6.3 acres), generating annual profits of up to 1.5 million Nepalese rupees (वार्षिक रु १५ लाख) ($11,500).
Twenty-two years ago, Dhakal migrated to Tanahu from neighboring Kaski district with limited prospects. Initially surviving on casual labor in his village, he later spent a decade working in India. Upon returning to his village, Dhakal made a pivotal decision to invest in vegetable farming rather than seeking employment abroad again.
“In the beginning, I earned my livelihood working as a day laborer. I even went to India for work, but after returning, I decided I needed to do something in my own country,” Dhakal explains. “It’s been successful. I realized much later that if you have the willpower to work, there are many opportunities right here in Nepal. Since then, I’ve never looked back. Through hard work, I’m now earning hundreds of thousands from land that was once abandoned.”
Starting with just a few ropani of land, Dhakal now cultivates vegetables year-round. His farm produces tomatoes in polytunnels throughout the year, along with seasonal vegetables including peas, cauliflower, pumpkin, bitter gourd, cucumber, and chilies. Recently, he has expanded his business to include plant nurseries, dedicating about half an acre to growing seasonal and off-season vegetable and fruit seedlings.
Not all the land Dhakal cultivates is his own. He pays an annual rent of 200,000 rupees ($1,500) for the 50 ropani. With growing demand for his produce, he plans to expand his operation by an additional 10 ropani.
“I sell my vegetables in markets including Bandipur, Dumre, and Damauli. Traders even come from Pokhara to buy my produce,” he says. “My annual turnover reaches around 8 million rupees ($61,000), with a net profit of about 1.5 million rupees after expenses. I’m now planning further business expansion.”
The success of his agricultural venture has enabled Dhakal to provide quality education for his children through the university level. His daughter now works abroad, while his son is employed as a teacher. He has built a comfortable house worth 3 million rupees ($23,000), purchased two ropani of land, and acquired vehicles including a Bolero jeep, motorcycle, and scooter to transport his produce to market.
Dhakal acknowledges the support received from the Bandipur Rural Municipality and the Agricultural Knowledge Center, which provided assistance with tunnel technology for three years and study tours to India.
“I’ve received grants worth about 1 million rupees to expand my agricultural business. The Agricultural Knowledge Center even sent me to India for study and research in agriculture. The joy of visiting India as a businessman rather than as a job seeker is completely different,” he shares with satisfaction.
The successful entrepreneur believes that agriculture is the foundation of Nepal’s prosperity. “If people work diligently on our fertile land, there’s no need to go abroad for employment. I’m an example of this,” Dhakal affirms. “Had I become discouraged, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The satisfaction and joy of living in your own country with family, community, relatives, and friends cannot be found abroad. Everyone needs to understand this.”
Dhakal’s story stands as powerful testimony to the untapped potential of Nepal’s agricultural sector and demonstrates how determination and innovation can create sustainable livelihoods within the country.