A total of 12 households in Ward No. 8 of Aathhbis Municipality have joined forces to start community farming. The group of farmers have rented ten ropanis of farmland to start the innovative and ambitious project.

The project was spearheaded by the Rakam Karnali-based Basundhara agro-cooperative to galvanise production and marketing of cash crops.

“Primarily we are focussing on the production of tomatoes for now,” said Arjun Shahi, chairperson of the cooperative. They also plan to branch out to producing potatoes, cabbages and cauliflowers and also focus on unseasonal fruits, he said. “Since the import of vegetables and fruits is rife even to the municipality’s remote corners, we thought we should do something to control the import, and give rise to local-level production.”

Shahi added they aim to transport the produce to districts as far as Kalikot, Jumla and Mugu.

The cooperative has employed three youths to take care of the farm, while also establishing an agriculture collection centre, which will help the sale of produces.

Rs 8 million rupees has been invested in the farm as of now, Shahi said, adding that the cooperative has also extended loans to its members willing to start animal farming.

“Our aim is to empower the members financially through agriculture,” said Shahi. “We plan to expand our investment in agriculture.”