Kumari Mijar, of Methikot-1, has stunned her peers and the people of her village, who now look up to her as an example, with her income at an age when she should have been fully dependent on her parents for all her expenses. [break]
Kumari, who grows seeds of tomato, chilly and lady´s finger, was surprised herself when Jorsalla Seed Production Cooperative agreed to pay her the amount.
The Mijar family migrated to Methikot village 15 years ago and survived on daily wages earned as agricultural labors.
“Had I not engaged in seed production, it would have been difficult for me to even pursue my studies,” Kumari said. Kumari was encouraged to undertake seed production after she participated in a training organized by Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC). After completing the training, NARC had provided her around 100 plants of hybrid tomato free of cost to start seed production.
That brought a complete turn around in the teenager´s life. She would enter the makeshift seed house she herself built out of bamboo and plastics at around 10 am. She would be back at work in the seed house after 2 pm.
The Jorsalla Cooperative has been promoting seed production among teenagers and youths. The total income this year of those involved in seed production in the village has been estimated to be Rs 1.5 million.
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