Surendra is finally home.
For years, he worked overseas in Malaysia, trying to make enough income to provide for his family. Back in his village in Nepal, his farming efforts had fallen short. But being away from home was another heavy weight on him even if he was earning more money.
Soon after Surendra returned to Nepal in 2019, Convoy of Hope’s Agriculture program offered his village training on modern farming techniques. These new methods changed everything.
“I’ve received a lot of training from Convoy of Hope,” he said, “such as commercial tomato farming, vegetable farming, organic manure preparation, compost management, organic fertilizer preparation, and disease and insect control.”
His family used to farm in traditional ways, passed down through generations. While those traditions helped him stay connected to his heritage, they weren’t producing enough results to support his wife and children. He had raised pigs, cattle, and goats, but the profit was low.
Today, life looks different.
“I’m fully engaged in commercial farming where I plant different vegetables — like tomato, cucumber, cauliflower, and ghost pepper,” he said.
Beginning with a single high tunnel (a covering that raises temperatures and extends growing seasons) for tomatoes, Surendra’s first harvest earned a significant profit. From there, he kept expanding his farm, applying new techniques and strategies along the way. Now, years later, his seasonal income is over five times higher than it once was.
“We are now focused on a modern way of farming. It has made our life easier,” he said. “Most important — the training has made us independent.”
Now, Surendra is confident that a strong future for his family can be built right in his village.
“Almost 40 farmers are engaged in modern agriculture in my village. The economic status of our village has changed a lot. I’ve seen a good future in agriculture,” he said.
Surendra has found that the greatest reward from his new career isn’t the increased income. It’s creating a sustainable future close to the people he loves.
“Living with my family in my village and earning a good income is the best thing for farmers like me. Thank you so much.”
