Retired NA administrator running modern cow farm

By Hari Prasad Koirala,Katahari,Aug,1: Giriraj Basnet, 58, who retired after working for 30 years in the administrative service of the Nepal Airlines Corporation, is currently running a modern cow farm in Katahari Rural Municipality-7, Morang.

After intensive study of the feasibility of animal husbandry, milk business, marketing and export of dairy products for two years, he entered animal husbandry sector by registering Greenyard Agro Farm. 

He has started the livestock business with the intensive livestock husbandry plan. In the initial phase, he built a modern cattle shed on four bighas of land four years ago. Currently, there are 400 mother cows and 100 calves.

Basnet said that even the calves which he raised himself are giving 20 litres of milk. He said, "An investment of Rs. 400 million has been made. Around 3,000 litres of milk is being produced daily. One day, I am selling milk to Kamdhenu Milk Producers Cooperative and the next day to Shivam Dairy."

He said that he is preparing a plan to operate a dairy industry after the milk production crosses 3,000 litres daily.

He added, "All the infrastructure is being prepared. By producing dairy products like curd, ghee, butter, mohi and paneer from his own industry, consumers will be able to consume dairy products at a cheap price." Every year, Basnet buys maize corns produced in 150 bighas of land from farmers and makes silage. 

Local farmers have been able to sell corn plants due to cattle farming. Not only that, 19 locals have got permanent jobs in his farm. There are five seasonal workers. Initially, Basnet also raised buffaloes and goats, but he has now removed the buffaloes and is gradually reducing the number of goats too.

"Our goal was to produce 3,000 litres of milk daily, and that goal has been achieved. In the next few years, we will continue to raise calves and connect farmers with milk production," said Basnet.

He said that as the technology has come to produce female calves, he has grown 100 calves into mother cows from his own farm.

Basnet has hired a veterinarian from Maharashtra, India. Basnet is also supported by his two sons and wife. His sons, Pragis and Bigyan, who have completed CA and MBA, are now supporting the business started by their father.