Ms. Pampha Thapa Magar, a resident of Ghokreni, Birendranagar-9, is a hardworking woman living with her husband and daughter on their 10 katha (0.12 hectare) land. She used traditional farming for years, relying heavily on pesticides and chemical fertilizers for a productive yield. However, her consciousness of the harmful effects of these practices compelled her to seek alternative methods.

Being illiterate in her community, she faced numerous challenges due to her lack of education. Determined not to let her daughter face the same obstacles, she sent her to a good university for higher education. In March 2022, Ms. Pampha had the opportunity to join the CSISA program as an MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). She gladly affiliated with the program, providing her with valuable training.

To support her agricultural activities, she applied for a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) from Megha Bank in November 2022, with technical assistance from the CSISA project team. With the KCC and loans from three cooperatives, she could purchase Mini Power Tillers at a 50% subsidy rate. Her investments from various sources allowed her to plant cucumbers, beans, lady’s fingers, and chili on her land, covering a total area of 0.12 hectares.

Ms. Pampha’s hard work and dedication bore fruit, as she earned NPR180,000 ($1,384) from her vegetable harvest, with a net income of NPR125,000 ($961) after deducting the investments. Moreover, her family and neighbors benefited from her produce, changing their food habits for the better.
Not stopping there, she expanded her endeavors by rearing 25 pigs in her improved shade with the help of her daughter-in-law and husband. Recently, she made a significant profit by selling her first lot of pigs for NRP550,000 ($4,230) and plans to continue breeding new piglets.

Ms. Pampha’s success story inspired her to share her experiences with other community members, hoping to replicate her achievements and foster positive change. She expressed gratitude for the CSISA project, believing its lessons would benefit her village greatly, and dreamed of a brighter future for everyone involved.