Jhapa. Padam Gautam ‘Khatri’ of Karkijhoda of Kachankawal Rural Municipality-6 here is now engaged in commercial farming. After retiring from service in Nepal Police for nearly 25 years, he has adopted agriculture as the second chapter of his life.

Stating that he retired as sub-inspector in 2074 BS, Gautam said that commercial agriculture has become a new part of his life since 2078 BS. He has registered the ‘Integrated Kachankawal Agriculture and Livestock Farm’ and started cultivating avocado on more than five kattha land on a trial basis.

Stating that he started earning Rs 200,000 annually from dragon fruit farming in the last two years, he said, “Kurilo farming has earned more than Rs 250,000 in three years. ’

Gautam said he was optimistic about the future after the investment in agriculture started yielding positive results. He said that he was the first farmer in Kachankawal rural municipality area to cultivate kurillo commercially. “Others may have planted them for personal purposes or in small quantities,” he said, “but I have done the work of producing it in a systematic and commercial manner.” ’

Lack of market is the main challenge for those engaged in agriculture, Gautam said. “There is a lack of local market,” he said, adding, “We have to go to Birtamod to sell the produce.” Stating that kurillo is still seen only as a medicine in the local market, he said that due to this reason it is not consumed in the local market, it has to be transported to the big markets.

Gautam has planted 50 avocado saplings as a trial. Although there is no immediate income from it, there is a possibility in the future, he believes. Stating that he had received Rs 100,000 grant from the Krishi Gyan Kendra last year under the youth-oriented programme to make agriculture more professional, he said the amount was not enough.

According to Gautam, there is a lot of market potential as the production will continue for about six months starting from Mid-February. Though the demand is high, farmers are suffering due to lack of processing and storage system, he said. He stressed the need for all three levels of government to work for policy to ensure price for agricultural produce, development of processing and storage system and concessional loan scheme.

Gautam, who has spent a significant time of his life in the police service, is now moving ahead on the path of self-reliance and professional possibilities with the belief that ‘a safe future is in agriculture’.