Mahadev Chaudhary, a farmer from Naukari, Shuklaphanta Municipality-8, says that he saves around NPR 300,000 annually through vegetable farming, which has become his primary source of livelihood.
Chaudhary, who has been engaged in continuous vegetable farming for the past two decades, is now recognized as a successful commercial farmer in his village. Despite having little to no formal education, his dedication and hard work have earned him respect in the community.
Following the abolition of the Kamaiya (bonded labor) system, Chaudhary was resettled by the government and provided with five kathhas of land. He began vegetable farming on this land and later expanded his operations by leasing an additional 10 kathhas. Today, his fields produce a variety of seasonal vegetables, including bottle gourd, pumpkin, cucumber, and bitter gourd.
He cultivates both seasonal and off-season vegetables, and also earns extra income by selling vegetable seedlings. “As a child, I used to herd goats and oxen for landlords. Later, I worked as a bonded laborer, plowing fields. I never even saw the inside of a school,” he shared. “But my life changed when I got the opportunity to attend an agriculture training program conducted by a donor agency. The knowledge I gained there helped me start organized vegetable farming.”
Chaudhary states that his entire household is now sustained by the income from farming. “We no longer have to rely on others for our livelihood. Farming has made it possible to support my family comfortably,” he said.
Having married during his days as a Kamaiya, Chaudhary once faced immense challenges in providing for his family. But with vegetable farming as a foundation, he turned his life around. “From the income I’ve earned, we’ve built a permanent house. I also bought an auto-rickshaw for my son, which is used both for transporting vegetables to market and as a rental service,” he added.
To support his farming efforts, he received a power tiller on government subsidy and installed a boring system for irrigation. He believes these tools have significantly boosted productivity. However, Chaudhary also expressed concern over market competition. “Despite working hard, we sometimes have to compete with cheap vegetables imported from India. When that happens, we are forced to sell at prices lower than our production cost,” he said, adding that such conditions often discourage local farmers.
He is now focused on promoting organic farming and establishing a distinct identity in the market for his products. Known in the village as a “hardworking farmer,” Chaudhary is not only committed to his own farm but also actively encourages others in the village to adopt modern farming techniques.
Local farmer Bipad Ram Chaudhary said, “Mahadev’s dedication is an inspiration to us all. He showed us that it’s possible to make a living through farming, and many of us have now taken up vegetable cultivation because of him.”
Jagarnath Chaudhary, another local, remarked, “Two decades ago, Mahadev was herding oxen for landlords. Today, through his perseverance and commitment, he has become a successful commercial farmer.”
