Janaki Chaudhary, a 36-year-old married woman, is a resident of Shuklaphanta-5, Garjamuni, Kanchanpur. She lives in a joint family with her in-laws, husband, and sons, comprising six family members. Before joining the Farmer Field School (FFS) group formed under the Skill Up Project, Janaki and her family practiced traditional farming methods. Their financial condition was weak, and Janaki lacked confidence in communicating with others. She was unaware of improved agricultural technologies, quality seeds, organic fertilizers, and organic pesticides. She sold vegetables by carrying them in a basket on her head and relied heavily on chemical fertilizers and pesticides without understanding their long-term impacts. Janaki had no knowledge of crop selection according to weather conditions or market demand. She was also unfamiliar with group formation, leadership, nutrition, government subsidies, and proper record-keeping. 

Later, Janaki became a member of the Chaudhary Pragati Mahila Farmer Field School Group. Over time, she not only emerged as an active member but was also elected as the Chairperson of the group. She participated in a two-day FFS Leader Farmer Training, where she gained knowledge on organic fertilizers, organic pesticides, improved seeds, and modern farming practices. Inspired by the training, she gradually abandoned traditional farming methods and adopted climate-smart and organic agricultural practices, completely avoiding harmful chemical pesticides. Janaki now regularly participates in training programs organized by the ward-level knowledge center and demonstrates strong leadership within her group. Through her involvement in the Skill Up Project, she has become aware of the importance of nutrition and has started including nutritious food in her daily diet. She also ensures that her children receive a balanced and nutritious diet, contributing to their healthy growth. She practices seasonal vegetable farming based on market demand and is now capable of identifying and selecting improved seeds. In the current year, she cultivated cucurbit vegetables and earned approximately NPR 60,000 from their sale. With this income, she purchased a weighing scale, vegetable crates, and seeds, further strengthening her farming activities. 

Janaki’s vegetable production has increased significantly compared to the past. She now sells vegetables not only within her village but also in nearby markets. Instead of carrying vegetables on her head, she now uses her own bicycle to transport them, reflecting both physical ease and improved dignity in her work. Her confidence has grown remarkably. She regularly attends meetings and confidently expresses her views. A Climate Smart Learning Centre under the Skill Up Project has also been established on her farm. Her success has inspired other FFS group members, who have begun adopting organic vegetable farming by learning from her. Recently, her group received seeds from the Agriculture Department with a 50% subsidy, and they have collectively started mushroom farming from the skill up project support. Janaki is also gradually improving her skills in maintaining farm accounts independently. Her journey from a hesitant traditional farmer to a confident climate-smart leader stands as a powerful example of women’s empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and community-level transformation.