Ilam, 10 Dec: Poojan Shrestha and Laxmi Shrestha of Maijogmai Rural Municipality–3, Ilam, are extremely busy taking care of the pigs they raise. From small piglets to breeding sows and pigs ready for sale, the couple finds it quite difficult to manage everything.
After spending six years in Cyprus for foreign employment, the couple returned home, but they no longer wished to go abroad again. Due to family reasons and their desire to stay in Nepal, they registered “Pashupati Livestock and Agriculture Farm” three years ago and have since taken up pig farming as a business.
Laxmi said that what they started with an investment of Rs 500,000–600,000 has now grown to over Rs 3.5 million. “Raising improved breeds, producing piglets, and selling them has made our income satisfactory compared to the investment,” she said.
“Even abroad you have to work hard, but at home at least you get some comfort. We didn’t feel like going overseas again—the earnings here and abroad were almost the same,” she added. The couple now earns about Rs 150,000 per month. Since they can’t manage the pig farm alone, they have hired an employee on a monthly salary.
“We currently have around 120 pigs of all sizes. Feed and fodder cost a lot. Compared to raising cows or goats, pig farming is easier, so we decided to pursue it as our business,” said Poojan. “We supply piglets locally within Nepal as well as to markets in Jhapa, and even to Mirik and Sikkim in India.” A single piglet from their farm costs a minimum of Rs 7,000, depending on age and breed. They also sell breeding sows for piglet production.
The Maijogmai Rural Municipality supported their farm under the Youth Entrepreneurship Program, providing a grant of Rs 100,000, which the couple says has encouraged them even more.
“If local governments promote young entrepreneurs and businesses like ours, many youths like us would give up the dream of going abroad and find a future in their own villages,” Poojan said. “The main problems are lack of investment, no security for the investment we make, and no guaranteed market. If local, provincial, and federal governments ensure a market for the products we produce, many youths can abandon the dream of going overseas.”
