Surya Maya, a 47-year-old farmer from Khaniyabas in Nepal’s Dhading District, has spent most of her life working the land. Between raising her three sons, caring for her elderly parents, and relying on a single source of income, she was solely responsible for the household. Yet, for years, the harvests rarely rewarded the effort she put into them.
Efforts Without Results
Like many farmers in her community, Surya Maya relied on traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. Without a solid understanding of nursery management, composting, or proper planting techniques, her yields remained low. The work was there, she might have said, but the results didn’t follow.
On-site technical support
Things began to change in 2024, when she started receiving support from Karuna-Shechen through the Sigaang Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Group, an organization she had been a part of since its founding. The training she received wasn’t just theoretical. Technicians visited her regularly, guiding her as she learned: how to prepare compost, manage nurseries, sow seeds properly, and weed more effectively. The support didn’t stop when the courses ended, it continued in her fields, season after season.
A Bountiful Harvest and Increased Income
The results speak for themselves. Today, her land yields between 9,000 and 10,000 onion plants, as well as a wide variety of crops: potatoes, garlic, turmeric, ginger, chili peppers, and bananas. The difference isn’t just in quantity; the quality of her produce has also visibly improved.
The same goes for her income. The sale of onion seedlings alone brought in 23,000 rupees, chili peppers 25,000 rupees, and bananas and potatoes each contributed 10,000 rupees. But perhaps most impressive is the yield from her ginger, which speaks volumes about its growth: although she had planted only 10 kg, she now harvests up to a full quintal.
Sustainable farming: a model for her village
One of the most subtle yet significant changes concerns the way she cares for her crops. Whereas she once relied on chemical pesticides, she now uses organic preparations provided by Karuna-Shechen, a shift that has made her plants healthier and her harvests more consistent.
None of this has been easy. With little help at home, Surya Maya does most of the work herself, making her achievements all the more remarkable.
Today, she is much more than an accomplished farmer: to the other villagers, she embodies what can be achieved when knowledge, support, and determination go hand in hand. Her story quietly reminds us that with the right tools and guidance, even the smallest plot of land can give rise to something extraordinary.
