Toofan Neupane in Jumla, translated from Himal Khabarpatrika, 2 October-1 November
Every year thousands of men from Karnali travel to India (going to Kalapahad as they call it here) to work as porters and labourers. But Padam Mahat of Jumla left a well paying job in Kathmandu to return to his village in Mahatgaun just so he could grow apples. Today his farm does not just have organic apples but fruits of all kinds that are cultivated around the world. “Now that the road has come to Jumla, I am less worried about the market,” he says.
Mahat is the first man from Karnali to do SLC (School leaving Certificate), after which he came to Kathmandu for his higher studies. He wanted to become a pilot. But a visit to Himanchal Pradesh in India while working for the Land Reforms Office changed everything. He saw how cultivation of fruits and medicinal herbs had transformed the region. Mahat was always pained by how his classmates in Kathmandu looked down upon him because he was from Jumla. He thought this was his chance to change things. After the trip, Mahat headed back to his village, this time to stay. It has been 28 years and Mahat has single mindedly pursued apple farming ever since.
Started with five apple trees in one ropani of land, he has now more than 5000 apple trees of 23 types growing over 110 ropani of land. He also has seven types of pears, 11 types of walnuts and 3 types of peaches and chilies in his farm. He has cultivated cumin, fennel seeds and medicinal herbs as well. About 20 people work in his farm during cultivation season.
Farmers from surrounding areas are brought for study tours to Mahat’s farm. In fact many farmers now practice improved terrace farming which they learnt to do from Mahat.
Mahat’s youngest son is planning to expand the garden and purchase a machine for processing the apples. The father son duo have established Nabin Organic Multipurpose Cooperative and are now looking into working with other farmers like them.