Model young entrepreneur of Manang

By Yadu Prasad Bhatt,Manang, July 18: Name: Sherap Bista; Age: 32 years; Occupation: Agriculture and tourism; Status: Single.  

Sherap Bista, compared to Shravan Kumar from the Satya Yuga says, “Who doesn’t want to enjoy the urban environment and the material comfort of getting an education?   It is only a desire, it is like chewing iron to get it done.” 

Bista is a successful young entrepreneur who has built his own identity in the Himalayan district of Manang. In 2008, after completing his schooling, he went to Kathmandu, to pursue higher education. 

While working in a manpower company, he studied hotel management but could not continue his education beyond the 12th standard due to financial constraints.

"I have done all kinds of work in Kathmandu, even pulling a horse in Bhrikutimandap," he said about the past as if complaining. "An 

unfamiliar place, no family or relatives, and when my stay in Kathmandu just got limited to how to make enough money for food, I decided to return to Chame,” he added.

He returned to Manang in 2018 after a nine-year stay in Kathmandu. After Bista returned to the village, he established 'Bista Apple Farm'. At that time, he did not know how to register the farm. The rural municipality assisted Bista reach Damauli in Tanahun to get a permanent account number (PAN). The farm then spread over four ropanis of land and is now flourishing and producing apples.

In Chame, Bista's parents were engaged in subsistence agriculture but were not business minded. 

After the eldest son Sherap returned to the village, the life of the struggling couple took a new turn. Along with apples, Bista started commercial vegetable farming. Lots of tomatoes have grown in plastic tunnels, and he delivers the vegetables needed by hotels in Chame.

Bista says, “I have planted potatoes in four ropanis and other vegetables in two ropanis of land. I have also planted cabbage and other vegetables, and fruits including kiwi, peach, and apricot, according to the season.

This alone did not make Bista happy; he did not limit the idea of becoming an agriculture entrepreneur. 'Happy Home Homestay', opened in Chame Rural Municipality-5, is his other business venture. The homestay, located next to the world-famous Annapurna trail, has also established Bista as a tourism entrepreneur.

“Ten months have passed since the homestay was brought into operation, and we have provided service in two tourist seasons. The homestay was brought into operation to allow guests to taste the organic produce of our garden. Both domestic and foreign tourists come to my homestay,” he said.

In the kitchen of the 32-year-old youth, who has returned to his birthplace and is engaged in agriculture and tourism business, dishes such as indigenous barley, buckwheat, potatoes, and beans are cooked. Tourists can visit the vegetable garden themselves if they wish.

He has registered the homestay in his mother's name, which can accommodate 15 guests per night. Bista plans to diversify the homestay service reflecting the Himalayan civilization and people's life. He said, “There is an urge to do something in my own birthplace, and I have vowed to dedicate myself to professional work and service to my parents.” When this scribe inquired about why he had not married yet, he replied, “I didn’t have money; who would believe a poor farmer?”

He mentioned that everyone believed only in modern man and he is just a framer. He says that if he gets a chance or if someone believes in him, he will start married life soon.

Father Sangdo and mother Pema Bhuti are also happy after their son returned to the village. The couple is helping their son as much as possible. Sherap sees his future secure in Manang, which is rich in tourism.  He has become a source of inspiration for others.

Due to his dedication, planning, and thinking, the Ministry of Social Development and Health of Gandaki Province recently awarded him with 'Youth Talent Recognition and Honour'. He was selected for the first place in the province for agriculture and small enterprises and received a cash prize of 50 thousand rupees.

“I received a bigger honour than I had thought. Money is not a big deal; it’s the honour that I am happy about,” said Bista.

Earlier, Chame Rural Municipality honoured him as a young entrepreneur. “The honour and award have inspired me further. I will continue to expand the quality and capacity of the business in the days ahead. Even if it is a small number, I will work to create jobs in the village,” he said.

Being able to stay with his parents in their old age is the most satisfying thing for Bista. That’s why Bista is known as the Shravan Kumar of current time. Madan Regmi, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Centre in Manang said, “Bista is the only young man doing organic farming. Though others have registered agricultural farms, Bista is number one among young entrepreneurs in the district.” 

Regmi further mentioned that Bista's role in promoting indigenous crops was commendable. He described Bista as the 'rising young entrepreneur' of Manang.