Bhagirathi Rana, a 35-year-old resident of Shuklaphanta Municipality–4, Asaina, lives with her husband and three children in a small farming family of five. With only basic literacy and limited livelihood options, she once belonged to a marginalized farming household struggling to meet daily needs through subsistence agriculture. Today, her story reflects transformation, confidence, and economic independence through the Skill Up project.
Background and Initial Challenges
Before her engagement with the Skill Up project, Bhagirathi’s life was shaped by hardship and limited opportunity. Her family depended entirely on traditional farming on just 1 kattha of land, producing low yields that were barely enough for household consumption. Lacking access to modern agricultural knowledge, she had no exposure to improved farming practices, crop diversification, or commercial vegetable production.
Her husband worked as a daily wage laborer in construction, but his income was irregular and insufficient to sustain the family. This financial instability created constant pressure at home. Bhagirathi herself lacked confidence and rarely participated in community activities or outside interactions, remaining confined largely to household responsibilities.
The Turning Point: Joining the "Skill Up" Project
A significant change came when Bhagirathi joined the Trishakti Farmers Field School under the Skill Up project. Through regular Farmers Field School sessions, she received hands-on technical training in organic farming, including preparation and use of Bokashi manure, liquid fertilizer, pit composting, climate-smart nursery management, and plastic tunnel farming techniques.
She was also supported with quality seeds, bio-pesticides, and essential agricultural inputs, which helped her apply new knowledge in practice. In addition, nutrition awareness sessions improved her understanding of healthy and diversified diets for her family.
A life-changing experience came when she participated in the Vegetable Enterprise Incubation Program at Madi Prangarik Krishi Farm, Chitwan. There, she observed advanced agricultural systems and gained practical skills in modern vegetable production, irrigation management, pest control, post-harvest handling, and organic farming entrepreneurship. Bhagirathi not only adopted these practices on her own farm but also began sharing her learning with fellow farmers
Transformation and Achievements
Today, Bhagirathi has expanded her vegetable farming from 1 kattha to 4 katthas of land. She has completely transitioned from chemical-based farming to organic practices, successfully adopting sustainable techniques such as tunnel farming, mulching, and bio-fertilizer production.
With support from the project, her farm has been developed as a Climate-Smart Learning Center, demonstrating multiple sustainable technologies including Bokashi composting, pit compost, plastic tunnels, and mulching systems. It now serves as a practical learning site for other farmers in the community.
Her efforts have led to remarkable economic improvement. In a recent winter season alone, she earned approximately NPR 40,000 from cucumber sales and NPR 50,000 from bitter gourd cultivation, ensuring a stable and growing income stream for her family.
The impact of her success extended beyond income. Witnessing her achievements, her husband left unstable wage labor and joined her in full-time commercial farming. Together, they now manage their farm as a joint family enterprise. Their household nutrition has also improved significantly through regular access to fresh, organic vegetables.
A New Identity and Future Vision
Beyond farming success, Bhagirathi’s personal transformation is equally significant. From a shy and hesitant individual, she has grown into a confident community member who actively participates in farmer groups and local meetings. She now engages directly with the municipal agriculture office to access services and support.
Looking ahead, Bhagirathi is determined to further expand her commercial vegetable farming enterprise. Her goal is to achieve full self-reliance, strengthen her family’s economic security, and continue inspiring other women farmers in her community.
Bhagirathi Rana’s journey is a powerful example of how targeted training, practical exposure, and community-based support can turn subsistence farmers into confident, skilled, and successful agripreneurs.
Impact Statement
“Skill Up gave me the tools to transform my life—from struggling on 1 Kattha of land and relying on irregular wage labor to managing a 4-Kattha organic farm that now serves as a Climate-Smart Learning Center. Earning NPR 90,000 in one winter season gave me financial independence and encouraged my husband to join me as an equal partner in farming. It also built my confidence and voice.” — Bhagirathi Rana
Story Collection/Photo: Manju Joshi
FFS Facilitator Shuklaphanta, Kanchanpur
Story Finalization: Archana Gautam/ Ram Bhakta Neupane
