Syangja. It has been six years since Ishwor Basyal of Malunga of Galyang Municipality-1 started cow rearing commercially.

Basyal, who started his business by registering ‘Bindwasini Agriculture and Livestock Farm’ six years ago, has been able to earn a good income from cow rearing. Basyal, who started his business with an initial investment of Rs 50 lakh, is now expanding his farm. Initially, he started his business with an investment of Rs 5 million and expanded his business with 20 companies, including cows and buffaloes.

“I have started my business of rearing 20 cows and buffaloes every year,” he said, adding, “So far, there are 44 cows and buffaloes in the farm and around Rs 15 million has been invested.” ’

He said that the income from the farm is being invested every year and he will continue the investment for a few more years. Currently, 27 of the cows and buffaloes are being milked and the rest are yet to be calved. Basyal, who runs the farm on his own land, has leased around 100 ropanis of land and has grown Napier, Jai, Barsim and other fodder for the cattle and buffaloes.

“The farm sells 250 to 300 liters of milk on a daily basis”, he said, adding that the farm sells milk at Rs 65 to Rs 70 per litre. Basyal’s farm has been selling the milk produced at the Galyang-based Small Farmers Agriculture Cooperative. He said that the price of milk sold from the farm was easily received as Galyang municipality would provide an additional subsidy of Rs 15 per liter.

“No matter how much milk is produced here, there is no problem in the market,” he said, adding, “The milk produced is sold through cooperatives, which has further encouraged the subsidy of Rs 15 per liter.” Currently, eight people are directly employed in the farm. He said that there is a plan to increase the number of cows and buffaloes and expand the structure by making the farm more systematic.

“I started livestock rearing after returning home after working abroad for some time,” he said, adding, “I am learning while working, gaining experience, and the business is good.” ’

He said that he had to suffer from his hands as he did not get the required amount of electricity even though the power supply to the farm was reached. He said that the machine was brought but there was a problem in operating the machine due to lack of power.