Tomato venture brings prosperity to former

By Sher Bahadur Sarki,Bajura, Nov. 26: Bholaram Joshi, a former ward member of Budhiganga Municipality-10 in Bajura, is now fully engrossed in tomato farming in his village.

In the 2017 local level election, Joshi was elected as a ward member of Budhiganga Municipality Ward-10. 

After completing his five-year term, he began cultivating tomatoes on more than seven ropanis of land in Phulot, Budhiganga Municipality-10. He is now seen working tirelessly, day and night.

Joshi shared that there has always been significant demand for tomatoes in the village, but no one was producing them.  He decided to start tomato farming as he found it an easy way to earn a livelihood.

“I have been farming tomatoes on more than seven ropanis of land in Phulot. All the tomatoes I planted have grown very well. Some have already been sold, while others are ripening in the garden,” he said.

Before starting tomato farming, Joshi struggled to provide livelihood for his family. Now, he earns over three hundred thousand annually from tomato farming. 

This has not only improved his family’s financial situation but also made it easier for his children to pursue higher education. In 2072 BS, Joshi suffered significant losses running a hotel in the district headquarters, Martadi. 

However, his success in tomato cultivation has compensated for those losses and enabled his family to live comfortably.

Encouraged by his success, Joshi has expanded his farming to include other vegetables such as chilies, coriander, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, radish, garlic, and onions.

The vegetables he produces are sold in various locations, including Dhaab, Malika, Ritha, Betalmandou, Barjugad, Falasain, Tampresera, and Balde. 

Locals, who previously relied on market vegetables grown with urea fertiliser, are now opting for the organic vegetables cultivated by Joshi.

The organic vegetables produced in the village are not only healthier but also cheaper than those from the market, resulting in increased demand for Joshi’s products.

By making effective use of the fertile yet previously barren land in Budhiganga Municipality-10, Joshi has achieved notable success in vegetable farming and earns a good income within the village.

A few years ago, Budhiganga Municipality recognised Joshi’s achievements and honoured him as a successful farmer for his outstanding contributions to agriculture.