Women in Baitadi venture into commercial turmeric farming

Baitadi: Women in Baitadi have begun cultivating turmeric commercially, shifting from previous practices where it was grown solely for household use.

Kalasa Luhar of Patan Municipality-6, who turned to turmeric cultivation after wild animals started damaging other crops, said, "Monkeys began destroying our other crops. We are now growing turmeric commercially to make productive use of barren land."

A total of 44 women from women’s entrepreneurial groups in Patan Municipality, Sigas, and Surnaya Rural Municipality are engaged in turmeric farming. Pavitra Shah of Surnaya Rural Municipality-6, who previously grew turmeric only for home use, has now expanded to commercial cultivation. She noted that after receiving seeds and technical support from 'Sarathi Nepal' under the 'Empowerment of Women Entrepreneurs through Sustainable Income' project, she is also cultivating garlic alongside turmeric.

The project, implemented by Sarathi Nepal in Patan Municipality-6, 8, and 9, Sigas Rural Municipality-1 and 2, and Surnaya Rural Municipality-6, provides seeds and technical guidance to women farmers associated with the Women Entrepreneurs Group. The initiative aims to make women self-reliant by connecting them with business opportunities and utilizing barren land effectively. Under the project, women are also cultivating ginger, garlic, and tomatoes in tunnels, said Bhupal Bohara, program coordinator.

Dipesh Dhami, the project’s field supervisor, stated, "The women are working diligently. We expect to produce around 350 quintals of turmeric. Our team visits the fields regularly with technicians to address challenges and find solutions."