INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
GALKOT, SEPTEMBER 30Farmers here have gradually adopted machines in agriculture, thereby boosting production and
The high-tech tunnel, drip irrigation and mulching technologies are common these days.
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Trilochan Sapkota is the one utilising modern technology in agriculture
Actively involved in agriculture for three decades, Sapkota from Dhodeni of Baglung Municipality shared that he was able to double the
production with adoption of mechanization.Currently, he is running high tech tunnel farming in 12 ropanis of land.
He has
applied drip irrigation and mulching technologies in each plastic tunnel
Cattle urine is supplied to a plastic tunnel with cleaning and disinfection.This has been managed underthe Kaligandaki Livestock and Agro
Farm Company."I've been doing commercial livestock farming for 32 years.Adoption of technology for five years has doubled my income," he
shared, adding that vegetable farming in the tunnel is reaping benefit.Sapkota sells 25 litres of milk produced by three buffaloes and a cow
He is also raising local fish in a pond as well
"Last May alone, I earned Rs 200,000 selling tomato
Such good income was possible with the use of technology," he informed.He has given regular jobs to two persons and some others on contract
basis."I earn as high as Rs 1.5 million rupees annually by selling milk, fish and vegetables," he said
With this, he has been able to afford higher education for his three sons
One of his sons is in the US, and another is in Australia now.According to him, once the crops and livestock are saved from diseases, huge
Similarly, the government is providing grant and technical assistance
Although half million rupees is spent on wages, fertilizer and seeds every year, Rs one million is easily saved.He is planning to expand
agricultural farm and make it pesticide-free.Cleaned and disinfected urine of cattle is used for vegetables as compost
He has three ropanis of land of his own for running the agricultural farm, while the remaining one has been taken on rent
He pays Rs 80,000 for land lease.Cauliflower, cabbage, beans, tomato are produced in the farm
Major source of income is, however, tomato.Sapkota is assisted by his spouse and youngest son Sagar.A version of this article appears in the
print on October 1, 2023, of The Himalayan Times
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com