Miksar Chaudhary, A resident of Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City–6 has cultivated Barsim grass on 22 kattha (approximately 0.75 hectares) of land. He is currently raising two lactating buffaloes and eight sheeps.
Chaudhary shared that from Kartik (mid-October) to Baisakh (mid-May), he feeds his animals with freshly cut green grass while also selling the seeds. Last year, he sold grass seeds worth NRs 200,000. This year, he expects to earn even more, citing a good yield of seeds.
“After sowing barsim grass in the fields, we do not have to go in search of grass during the winter; it has saved time. When it is green, we can feed it as grass while also selling its seeds,” he said. According to him, farmers in Dang have started earning a decent amount by selling the grass seeds.
Prem Chaudhary of Ghorahi-6 has raised three buffaloes, one cow, and six goats. According to Prem, “I have sown 19 acres of paddy fields with barsim grass. It has become easier to feed the livestock. The buffaloes’ milk yield has increased by consuming green grass in winter.”
Prem mentioned they cultivate grass every year by producing seeds at home and added that the interest of livestock farmers in Barsim grass has been growing. “This grass seed is sown like lentils before harvesting the paddy planted during the rainy season. The paddy must be harvested when the grass sprouts; some people have also sown it after plowing the field,” he explained. They sold grass seeds worth Rs 90,000 last year. “This year we are expecting to earn over one lakh rupees,” Prem added.
According to the Grass Seed Producers Association, farmers of Ghorahi-5, 6, 7, 8, and 17 have cultivated grass on 15 to 25 acres of land. The association’s secretary, Bimal Adhikari, stated that farmers have become more attracted to this crop as it is financially more rewarding than other crops.
Farmers in Gurubagaun, Gurgai, Jajragaun, Beruwagaun, Bergai, Fachakpur, and Aghara of Ghorahi-6 and Karjahi and Gairagaun of Ghorahi-17 have been cultivating barsim for the past 10 years. “It is also known as ‘Green Gold,’” he informed.
Farmers who cultivate Barsim grass enjoy dual benefits. It can be used to feed livestock with green grass, while the dried stalks also serve as feed,and cash income can be earned by selling the feed. Farmers in almost all municipalities of Dang have started cultivating this grass,” Adhikari said.
Last year, farmers earned Rs 290,000 to Rs 300,000 by selling the grass feed.Also, Adhikari further explained that it is highly beneficial as the animals that eat this grass experience increase in milk production.
