By Nabin Shishir BK, Baglung, Nov. 19: Yam Prasad Sharma of Kathekhola Rural Municipality-2 in Baglung district became a farmer due to compulsion and circumstances such as lack of employment at home village, responsibility to sustain the family and his unwillingness to go abroad for jobs.

Sharma has been into vegetable farming for the last 15 years and earning bread for his family.

As the saying goes, necessity is mother of invention, he gave up traditional farming of food grains such as maize, wheat and millet and started commercial vegetable farming in the land he owned.

Sharma has been growing cabbage, cauliflower, onion, garlic, tomato, beans. He also sells seedlings of onion, cabbage and cauliflower.

Sharma spends his time from morning to evening in the farm as it has captivated him.

"Happiness grows at heart as vegetables grow in the farm," he said, "When vegetables get sick, I feel I am unwell."

He said he saves about two lakh rupees a year from the sale of vegetables grown in his field.

"I never felt like going abroad for employment. I have been shedding sweat in my own soil," he said, "Money alone has no joy compared to the joy you get while working hard with your family."

"I have been seeking future in agriculture," said 46-year old Sharma, adding, "I am proud to be a farmer as I have been irrigating my soil with my sweat." Sharma's wife has been all supportive in his endeavor.

Although off season vegetables are sold at village, Sharma sells his seasonal vegetables at Baglung bazaar.

There is no problem of market for vegetable production, but there is no return in it as per the hard work, he said.

Known as a forefront farmer, Sharma has been awarded with a grant of Rs. 50,000 this year by Kathkhola Rural Municipality, fertilisers and agricultural equipment and inputs.

Employment can be generated at the village itself if there is assistance in management of irrigation, advanced processed seeds

Sharma says he has restricted use of chemical fertilizer in his vegetables. "I do not use any pesticide except for ants in extreme cases. Manure and urine of cows and buffaloes are sufficient for the vegetable farming."