Dipendra Gurung, from the Bedkot municipality, was working in India as a migrant worker at the start of the pandemic, "Work in other nations is not easier but I have to fulfil my duty as guardian to my family members, so I had to work there.”

When the pandemic struck, Dipendra lost his job and his only source of income for his family. He returned to Nepal and sought out new opportunities through the NEEDS’ 390-hour off-season vegetable training programme. 

During this training period, he learned various techniques and ideas for growing crops in a greener approach.  After learning about the importance of organic farming, Dipendra began to use bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides instead of chemical fertilizers and pesticides and started producing his own compost manures. He has now taught his wife the skills he learned through his training, and she supports him in cultivation.

By employing organic approaches, Dipendra is tapping into the profitable organic market and can charge a higher price for his cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, onion, garlic products as people are concerned about how their food is grown and cultivated. His daily income has grown to Rs. 1,000 which allows him to support his family.

“The NEEDS’ training program has provided me with skills to fulfil my family’s needs."

For NEEDS, Dipendra’s story is important because it shows the value of market relevant green skills, “Dipendra is using the new techniques and concepts that he learned from training program to cultivate off-season and seasonal vegetables commercially which has allowed him to earn sufficient income to support his family and he is able to stay in Nepal and not seek work in another country.”