Kathmandu, 27 Dec: The demand for organic kodo (millet) produced by farmers in the remote villages of Bajura has been increasing in cities.
Previously, the kodo produced here—though abundant in the villages—always had low sales. However, after its demand recently began to rise even in cities, farmers here have now become quite happy.
Kodo, which grows abundantly on sloped and hilly terrain, is now attracting farmers more toward its cultivation as demand from various places in cities has started to increase.
In Bajura, kodo is sown in the months of Jestha, Asar, and Shrawan. Kodo sown in Jestha starts ripening in Bhadau, while that sown in Asar and Shrawan ripens in Mangsir.
Farmers here produce kodoko using dung and manure from cows, oxen, buffaloes, and goats/sheep. Surname Rokaya of Himali Rural Municipality–6 says that the organic kodo produced this way in the village is very beneficial for health, which is why demand has been coming recently from various cities across the country.
She said, “Kodo production has been high in the village from the past till now. Previously, kodo would hardly sell anywhere. That’s why farmers also planted less. Now, after traders have started coming to the village from cities to buy kodo, we have been planting more lately.”
Since kodo farming alone has been seen to support the livelihood of farmers here, now even most municipalities have started emphasizing more on kodo production.
Not only that, now in most schools here, kodo dishes have been made compulsory in the midday meal for children.
Rokaya mentioned that since kodo is consumed within the village itself and traders come to the village from various places in cities to buy it, farmers here are now financially much more comfortable.
Kodo is very useful for health. It is considered beneficial for health because it is rich in carbohydrates, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.
Last year alone, more than two trucks of organic kodo from the lower areas of Bajura were sold in major cities like Attariya, Dhangadhi, Mahendranagar, Nepalgunj, and Kathmandu, said Bholaram Jaisi, a senior farmer and kodo trader from Budhiganga Municipality–10, Fulate.
He said, “Kodo is produced in various places like Himali, Jagannath, Swamikartik, Budhinanda, Badimalika, Gaumul, Budhiganga Khaptadchededaha, and Triveni. The kodo produced here is organic. We also buy it at thirty rupees per kilogram and send it to cities.”
Earlier, there were no roads in the village. It couldn’t be carried on one’s back, and transportation costs were high. Now, roads have reached every village and settlement here. Jaisi said that since it has become easier for them to take vehicles right to their homes, the kodo from here now reaches cities.
Since kodo farming is seen as an easy means of livelihood for locals, local levels have also been encouraging kodo cultivation.
Out of 2,30,037 hectares of land in this district, 22,000 hectares are arable.
Among them, 5,235 hectares have year-round irrigation facilities.
Kodo’s contribution to food grain production is only 22.62 percent in that area, according to Jasram Sahani, head of the Agriculture Knowledge Center.
