Maoist combatant emerges as successful goat farmer

BY THAKUR PRASAD ACHARYA,Myagdi, July 23: Ten years ago, Gum Bahadur Srishmagar was widely recognised as the commander of the decade-long people’s war led by the then CPN (Maoist). As a dedicated party worker, he engaged in a number of confrontations with both the Army and the Police.

However, with the conclusion of the people’s war, Srishmagar’s identity underwent a profound transformation. Today, he is renowned as a model farmer in the district, having left his political life behind in 2013 to become a full-time farmer.

Animal husbandry has become his primary occupation, and he has taken up goat rearing as a venture in his hometown of Baranja. Currently, his farm houses 30 goats of various species in a modern and well-organized enclosure. Additionally, he has thoughtfully cultivated grass in the vacant land to ensure the animals’ welfare.

Before the division of CPN (Maoist), Srishmagar had achieved the position of a secretariat member within the state committee. Reflecting on his political journey, he stated, “I am no longer in an executive position within the party. 

Times and circumstances have changed, leading me back to my former occupation. At this moment, I cannot dedicate time to politics as I am fully occupied with animal husbandry.” Presently, he serves as the coordinator of the Central Advisor Committee of Mukti Morcha.

While he briefly worked with the Biplav-led party, he experienced losses in goat rearing during that period. However, over the last three years, his focus on goat rearing over politics has yielded positive results. Last year alone, he managed to sell approximately Rs. 100,000 worth of goats. Sharing his experience, Srishmagar emphasized that diligent work in animal husbandry can generate a substantial income.

To establish his goat-rearing business, Srishmagar invested Rs. 500,000 in constructing suitable enclosures and structures. 

Additionally, he received a grant of Rs. 150,000 from the Veterinary Hospital and Animal Services Centre last year to further support the cage construction.

Having been associated with CPN (Maoist) since his student days, Srishmagar refrained from openly discussing his political views. However, he acknowledged that the people’s war had brought about significant changes among the populace and had led to political achievements for the country. Nonetheless, he expressed disappointment in the political leaders’ inability to adopt the right path to institutionalize these changes.

Overall, Gum Bahadur Srishmagar’s journey from a former people’s war commander to a successful model farmer exemplifies the transformative power of focusing on sustainable agricultural practices rather than politics.