Women’s groups empower freed kamlaris through farming & enterprise

KATHMANDU: Basanti Chaudhary, a member of the Janachetana Women Farmers Group in Ghorahi Sub-Metropolitan City–8, Katuki, has been actively involved in collective farming for the past two years.

As the group’s treasurer, she, along with 19 other women, has been cultivating potatoes and onions on nine kathhas of leased land.

“We built two tunnels for vegetable farming. The Agriculture Knowledge Centre in Dang supported us with a targeted budget and provided seed capital of Rs 20,000 per member,” she said. According to Basanti, joining the group has kept them informed about various government programs and support schemes.

The Veterinary Hospital and Livestock Service Expert Centre in Dang has also assisted the group with NPR 1 million for building pig shelters, further enhancing their livestock initiatives.

Janachetana group’s chairperson, Deukumari Chaudhary, said the women learned financial literacy, including savings, investment, loan management, and budgeting. “Working collectively makes the tasks quicker and more efficient. We don’t need to hire laborers anymore,” she added.

In Ghorahi–12, Nanda Yogi has begun commercial beekeeping after receiving training from the Freed Kamlari Development Forum and SOSEC Nepal, which also provided her with five beehives. Now managing ten hives, she produced around 86 kilograms of honey, selling it at NPR 500–600 per kilogram.

“It’s easier than raising cattle. I’ve developed skills and gained financial knowledge through the training,” she said.

Meanwhile, Urmila Chaudhary from Tikralhaloura, Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City–16, a former Kamlari herself, now leads the Pragati Livestock Women’s Group. After joining the group, she received mushroom farming training and took a NPR 30,000 loan from the group’s revolving fund to start her venture.

Urmila now raises over 2,500 Giriraj chickens and 400 local chickens, generating substantial income. “The group helped me become self-reliant. I plan to continue this work,” she said. The revolving fund provides interest-free loans, with only the principal to be repaid within a year.

Deputy Mayor of Ghorahi, Huma DC, emphasized that the municipality is working in partnership with freed Kamlaris, offering various skills training and housing programs. “We request those without proper shelter to contact the municipality for support,” she urged.

Subodh Chaudhary, Project Officer at the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, stated that the Empowerment Project for Freed Kamlaris has directly benefited 465 individuals across Ghorahi, Tulsipur, and Lamahi.

“The target groups include former Kamlaris, marginalized, and vulnerable women. Through group formation and entrepreneurial ventures, many women are now generating independent income,” he said.