A women led successful farmer's group
The women led Jana Chetana Farmer’s Group was established by the SEBAC-Nepal Suaahara II program around 5 years ago in Chaurpati Rural Municipality, Achham district. The group, comprising 30 members, gained official registration at the Rural Municipality a year ago, after providing Homestead Food Production (HFP) training.
Ms. Paru Thapa, president of the farmer’s group, shared that group's primary agricultural products include cauliflower, cabbage, onion, garlic, kyangkung, cress, Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP), asparagus, cucumber, pumpkin, and others, which they market in nearby markets. With support from the Rural Municipality, plastic tunnels have been provided to enable year-round cultivation of tomatoes. On average, each member earns approximately NPR 50-60 thousand annually from vegetable production.
Monthly meetings are held under a peepal tree, discussing various topics such as financial saving activities and other important subjects. Each member contributes NPR 5 monthly, resulting in an annual saving of NPR 9000. This collective fund is used as a loan to members (with a 12% interest rate), for seed purchases, and to assist members in times of need. The group also discusses critical life-changing topics, including maternal care and affection for 1000-day mothers, child vaccination, regular pregnancy testing, iron supplementation during pregnancy, consistent consumption of nutritious food, toilet construction, and sanitation. The group strictly adheres to the "10 key behaviors" and the saying “"Harek Baar Khana Char" promoted by SEBAC-Nepal Suaahara Program, with any deviations addressed and supported during meetings.
Ms. Thapa also shared her personal success story. Before engaging in vegetable farming, she faced financial struggles and had to take loans for her children's education. However, through the group's vegetable farming initiatives, she now supports her family financially. As a Village Model Farmer (VMF) trained by SEBAC-Nepal Suaahara, she actively participates in training sessions on behalf of her group. Her husband, also trained as a VMF, supports her in household chores and farming. Due to his helpful nature, he was selected as a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) champion.
Ms. Thapa earns around NPR 1.2 lakhs annually from cultivating vegetables and replaced traditional farming practices with the construction of two tunnels, one supported by the Rural Municipality with a grant of NPR 60,000 and other one was constructed by herself. Additionally, the group is involved in poultry farming, with Ms. Thapa distributing chickens to mothers of 1000 days to enhance their health and nutrition during this critical period.
