Samjhana Finds Hope in Organic Farming
Samjhana Shrestha is working hard for a better life. She lives in Newartol, Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, Ward No. 1. Her story is one of strength, hard work, and the positive changes brought about by organic farming. Samjhana is a farmer who has faced many difficulties including financial problems and worries about her family’s future because they didn’t own land. Financial struggles were a constant challenge, as her limited options confined her to labor-intensive work.
When such work was not available, she had no money at all. Her family’s main source of income was labor work and farming on a small piece of land, increased by her efforts in weaving carpets. It was hard to get enough food each day, and they didn’t own any land. The land they lived on was given as security for a loan by her father-in-law, creating a constant fear of losing their home.
With three sons to raise, Samjhana was deeply worried about how to educate them and provide for their needs.
Support came in the form of the Community Self Reliance Centre (CSRC) and the ward office, which helped Samjhana start mixed vegetable farming in two tunnels. With this support, she began cultivating tomatoes and cauliflowers, and in the first season, she sold tomatoes worth 40,000 rupees and cauliflowers worth 5,000 rupees. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Samjhana, who had to abandon her education after getting married while studying in class six, found hope and determination in vegetable farming. Unlike grain farming, which provided food for only two months, tunnel-based vegetable farming allowed her to buy enough rice for the entire year.
Excited about her success, Samjhana embraced organic farming techniques learned from the Community Self Reliance Centre’s Climate Resilience Initiative which was supported by World Jewish Relief (WJR). She utilized organic fertilizers, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), improved goat manure, and drip irrigation technology to enhance her production. The manure from her own goats made the soil fertile, and now, she has ambitious plans to expand her farming operations.
With renewed confidence, Samjhana is hopeful about giving her sons a good education. She has experienced firsthand that proper skills and technology can lead to significant earnings even from a small piece of land. She said, “With the right skills and technology, I have seen that even a small piece of land can yield great results.”
Her aim is to lease more land and further expand her farming endeavors, provided the market challenges are addressed. She is currently cultivating tea on a leased 0.10-hectare plot of land.
Samjhana Shrestha’s journey towards self-reliance through organic farming is evidence to the impact of determination, support, and sustainable practices. Her story is an inspiration to many others facing similar struggles, proving that with the right opportunities and perseverance, a better future is within reach.
Samjhana happily states, “Organic farming isn’t just a way to grow crops; it’s a path to self-reliance and a better future by providing healthy meals to my family and the people I sell to.”
Written by: Deepika Aryal
Edited by: Knowledge Management and Communication Unit
