Tikapur. Vegetable farming is the main source of income of Narayan Joshi of Pahadipur of Janaki rural municipality-5 in Kailali. He has taken up vegetable farming professionally, which his father started 22 years ago.

Ranijamara Kularia Irrigation Project Agriculture Program Implementation Unit has not only encouraged the farmers in farming but also helped them become professional. The farmers who got the support of the project have become professional by learning technology and new skills in farming.

Narayan, the owner of Khaptad Livestock and Agriculture Farm, who is doing commercial farming seeing the future and earnings in vegetable farming, has made it easier to stay in the profession with the help of irrigation projects. He has planted cauliflower, potatoes and vegetables on three bighas of land.

“I have invested Rs 3 million and produces 1,000 quintals annually. After deducting all expenses, we save Rs 150,000 to Rs 200,000 per month,” said Joshi. His family of five enjoys vegetable farming.

Narayan, who is looking for land, told RSS that he was planning to cultivate vegetables on another 10 bighas of land as the project was supporting it. He has been farming using only organic manure.

Farmers have been attracted to commercial farming after the Agriculture Program Implementation Unit of Rani Jamara Kularia Irrigation Project started providing subsidy to the farmers with seeds and new technology.

Akriti Thakur, agriculture officer of the irrigation project, stressed the need to be aware of the soil before cultivating for crop protection. “If we start farming from the conservation of soil, we can earn good income like Narayan,” he said, adding, “Farmers should start farming from the protection of soil and environment.” We are also helping the farmers who pay attention to the protection of crops. ’

Bharat Kandel, chief of the irrigation project, said that the policy is to motivate the young farmers of the project in agriculture. “The project is working to support the farmers who are working in such an inspiring manner,” he said, adding, “I am happy to see the success of the Joshi family in agriculture.” ’

The project has provided 50 per cent subsidy on seeds and 70-80 per cent subsidy on new technologies depending on the needs of the farmers in the command area of the project to become professional.

President Ram Chandra Poudel had awarded prem Prasad Joshi, father of farmer Narayan, two weeks ago. The President presented a cash prize of Rs 200,000 to him for his contribution to the country’s economic prosperity through agriculture.