Myagdi. Gambahadur Shrish of Baranja, Mangala Rural Municipality-3, Myagdi, who was once active in underground politics, has now added another identity. Shrish, a member of the interim legislature parliament and the first Constituent Assembly, is now engrossed in agricultural entrepreneurship. Active in politics for over two decades, he is currently busy with goat farming, orange cultivation, and beekeeping. Shrish, who returned to his village and engaged in agricultural entrepreneurship, has chosen the path of self-employment through his own labor and investment. He started his agricultural work by establishing Shrish Agriculture and Livestock Farm. Currently, the farm is involved in goat farming, orange cultivation, and beekeeping. He says that agriculture-based entrepreneurship is a good means to make the citizens of the hilly region self-reliant. Shrish said, 'Entrepreneurship based on agriculture is the main basis for improving the condition of citizens, economic and social transformation, and job creation.' He added, 'I have taken the initiative to show the potential for self-reliance and self-employment in the hilly region.' He started the business six years ago with two goats and an investment of one lakh. Currently, there are 30 goats on the farm. He sells 15 to 20 goats annually. He has been continuing commercial animal husbandry, raising Khari and Jamunapari breeds of goats. Goat farming was not easy at first. He had to bear losses as the goats bought from Tarakhola were not suitable for the local climate. However, he did not lose heart and continued the business. Now his farm is well-managed. A modern shed has been constructed with the support of the Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Center. Along with goat farming, he has also expanded orange cultivation. 350 orange trees have been planted in the fields where traditional food crops were grown. Those trees have started yielding. Grass needed for goats has also been planted on the vacant land. This has made animal husbandry easier. He has also started beekeeping. He currently has 16 beehives. Fish farming has been started in the pond constructed for irrigation. Mangala Rural Municipality has provided training on beekeeping, technical support, and subsidies for purchasing hives. Shrish's agricultural journey is not limited to personal income. With his initiative, after the formation of a model farmers' group, 15 households in Baranja have started commercial goat farming. This has increased the attraction towards agricultural entrepreneurship in the village. Farmers in Baranja are involved in orange cultivation and cattle farming along with goat farming. They sell the milk produced by them in Tatopani and Beni bazaar. Shrish believes that agriculture can be made a source of income as there is potential for local production and market. He has received help in expanding orange cultivation and garden management. The National Agriculture Modernization Project and the Agriculture Development Office have assisted Shrish and other farmers in Baranja in expanding orange cultivation, strengthening gardens, and expanding irrigation facilities. Shrish, born into a middle-class family, chose agricultural entrepreneurship with the aim of becoming self-reliant. For some time, he also operated a dealership for a food store. However, his main focus is now on agriculture and animal husbandry. His time is spent caring for goats and tending to orange trees in the morning and evening. He spends his free time at the farm and is also active in local social activities along with agricultural work. His family members have supported him. Shrish's life journey did not start with agricultural entrepreneurship. He was associated with the CPN (Maoist) since his student life. Active in underground politics since 2058 BS, he was involved in political activities during the armed conflict conducted by the then Maoist party. In 2063 BS, he became a member of the interim legislature parliament. He then represented the first Constituent Assembly from 2064 to 2070 BS. After completing his term as a Constituent Assembly member, he returned to his birthplace, Baranja. After that, agricultural entrepreneurship was made the basis of livelihood. Shrish is still active in politics. He is currently a central member of the Communist Party of Nepal. He plans to advance politics and agricultural entrepreneurship simultaneously. In Shrish's experience, agricultural entrepreneurship not only increases production but also helps create employment in the village. He believes that if the land, climate, and local resources available in the hilly region are utilized, farmers can earn income in their own villages.
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