Author: space4knews

Rabi Nepal, a farmer from Mechinagar Municipality-4, Bahundangi, has become a pioneer in modern mixed farming by cultivating 27 different species of cash crops on 12 bighas of land. Nepal grows a variety of cash crops such as tea, rubber, agarwood, amla, jackfruit, and bay leaves all within the same land. He plans to introduce coconut farming as an intercropped species within his tea gardens, aiming to add a new dimension to agricultural tourism and production.
April 13, Jhapa. Rabi Nepal of Mechinagar Municipality-4, Bahundangi, has set an example in modern mixed farming by planting 27 species of cash crops together on a single plot of land. Engaged in commercial agriculture for 13 years, he has optimized every inch of his 12 bighas through diverse intercropping methods.

Starting his agricultural journey with tea cultivation, Nepal now simultaneously cultivates tea, rubber, agarwood, amla, jackfruit, bay leaves, among dozens of other cash crops in the same field. He explained that tea was planted first, followed by intercropping of the other cash crops within the tea garden.

Tea began yielding produce after three years, amla after five years, jackfruit after four years, rubber in its fifth year, and bay leaves starting from the third year, Nepal informed. “Initially, investment and labor are significant; from soil preparation to grafting and nurturing saplings takes time,” he said. “Returns begin after three years, and by seven years, all crops start generating income.”

Currently, the garden hosts 27 varieties of cash crops. Nepal is producing everything from medicinal plants like Arjun, Moringa, and Rudraksha to daily kitchen essentials such as cinnamon and lemon. His cultivation style is innovative and captivating; for example, pepper vines grow luxuriantly intertwined with large areca nut palms in his garden.

Recently, he has initiated coconut farming within the tea gardens on the advice of agricultural experts. He started removing two tea bushes at a time to plant coconut saplings within the tea plantation. “This is the first time coconut farming is being practiced as an intercropped species inside tea gardens here,” he stated, “and it is expected to introduce a new dimension to agricultural tourism and production in Jhapa.”

Farmers in Bahundangi often face challenges from wild animals such as elephants, leopards, and monkeys. Nepal explained that crops like tea and coconut are less affected by elephants and monkeys, so farmers are adopting these as alternative crops. Soil testing also indicates that coconut farming is suitable in areas along the East-West Highway including Bahundangi, Shanischare, and Budhabare.

He estimates that a single coconut tree can generate annual income of 17,000 to 18,000 NPR. He began planting coconuts within areca nut plantations last year and plans to plant a thousand saplings in total. “I planted 300 saplings last year and will plant 700 more this year,” Nepal added. Since the sap extracted from coconuts is sold unripe, he sees no shortage of market demand. Demand for coconut water in the market is also increasing.

With 13 years of mixed farming experience, Nepal reports no market issues with cash crops. Areca nuts and bay leaves sell while extensive processing industries for tea and rubber have already been established in Jhapa. “One must be proactive in finding and creating markets. Producing in the field and just resting at home is not enough,” he emphasized. “With well-managed mixed farming on one bigha, earning eight to nine lakh NPR annually is achievable.”

His successful agricultural work sets an example that if one is willing to work hard on their own land, there is no need to migrate to Europe or America for income. He urged the government to develop policies and programs to motivate the youth toward mixed farming. “Those who want quick returns can grow vegetables for three months, those who want grain can wait six months, and those who can wait a year can cultivate medicinal herbs. But with patience and persistence over three to four years, mixed farming can provide continuous income for 50 years,” he explained about the income prospects from farming.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced intense criticism after posting an image on his ‘Truth Social’ platform that depicted him resembling Jesus Christ. The AI-generated image showed Trump receiving medical treatment while lying in a hospital bed.

The image was shared shortly after Trump published a lengthy post harshly criticizing Pope Leo XIV. He later claimed that he intended to appear dressed as a doctor rather than as a religious figure. BBC journalist Sara Smith provided insights into the conflict between Trump and the Pope and discussed the perspectives held by Trump’s supporters regarding this incident.

The newly formed government has announced a plan to distribute Soil Health Cards within three months to promote agricultural development. These cards will provide information on soil health status and offer recommendations for improvement. Nepal is implementing policies and programs to increase soil carbon content as part of its commitment to achieving sustainable development goals. The government, elected through a recently concluded election, has received high public expectations. Holding nearly a two-thirds majority, the government faces increased responsibility to deliver tangible results.

The government recently released a list of 100 governance reform actions outlining its priorities. Among the agenda items related to agriculture, land, infrastructure, and basic service development, the distribution of Soil Health Cards is emphasized as a key step toward advancing the agricultural sector. At the core of development lies increasing production and productivity, which is directly linked to soil health. This necessitates boosting the level of soil carbon.

Within the 100-point reform agenda, three crucial measures for agricultural development are highlighted. The final point specifies that farmers operating commercial agricultural farms will receive Soil Health Cards within three months. These cards will report on soil health, including levels of carbon, essential nutrients, and other indicators of soil condition. Measuring soil carbon content is an important indicator of soil quality and plays a vital role in enhancing agricultural output and productivity.

Nepal aims to achieve its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2087. Of the 17 SDGs, nine directly pertain to soil. Healthy soil typically contains over 4% organic carbon, whereas Nepal’s agricultural land generally has about 2% or less. The government must focus special attention on programs to increase soil carbon content. Since raising soil carbon cannot be achieved rapidly, programs need to be implemented systematically, with careful consideration of soil health.

The government has unveiled a draft national commitment to recruit 25 percent new and skilled personnel into the civil service within the next five years. The draft legislation includes provisions for clear performance indicators, evaluations, promotions, and professional development within the civil service. It also commits to removing the obligation for citizens to frequently visit government offices, ending unnecessary hassles, and implementing time cards for public service delivery.

April 14, Kathmandu – Following the recent elections, six political parties that have come together as a national alliance have included reforms in their manifestos focused on administrative improvements. The draft contains a pledge to increase the number of civil servants by 25 percent with capable personnel over the next five years, presented as a national commitment.

To ensure result-oriented administration, the draft outlines the enactment of civil service laws featuring explicit performance indicators, assessment procedures, promotion criteria, and provisions for professional growth. Instead of inconsistent allowances and additional benefits, employees’ basic salaries will be adjusted appropriately and regularly according to the times, ensuring effective implementation.

The commitment also promises to eliminate the need for service users to make repeated visits to government offices, reduce fears of direct interactions with intermediaries and employees, and remove unnecessary complications. The draft national commitment report states, “Procedures will be reviewed to gradually end traditional and cumbersome hierarchical comments and paper-based administrative processes. Time cards will be introduced for public service delivery.”

Actors Kumar Kattel ‘Jigri Bro’ and Deepakprasad Acharya ‘Kaku’ have announced their renewed collaboration for the production of the film ‘Chiranjivi Bhava.’ The script has reached its final draft, and according to Kumar, preparations for filming will begin within one and a half to two months. The film will be a social drama depicting a story between two generations. Kaku will direct, while Jigri will handle the screenplay.

Kathmandu – Popular TV series actors Kumar Kattel ‘Jigri Bro’ and Deepakprasad Acharya ‘Kaku’ have confirmed their partnership once again. After the conclusion of the series ‘Sakkigo Ni,’ both have separately directed films. Kaku’s directorial debut ‘Paran’ became the highest-grossing film of the year 2082 BS, while Jigri Bro’s ‘Laj Sharanam’ also performed well commercially.

Despite pursuing individual paths in film direction, the two artists have now reunited. The announcement of their joint project ‘Chiranjivi Bhava’ was made via social media to coincide with the Nepali New Year 2083. The script is currently in its final draft phase, and Kumar shared that the team will start preparing for filming within one and a half to two months.

The film will narrate an intimate story between two generations. Kumar stated, “This is a story set in the present time. It reflects what has been lost, what is missing, and which elements are extremely essential between the two generations.” This will be the second directorial venture for both artists. Kaku will take on directing responsibilities, while Jigri will contribute to the story writing. Jigri added, “Although we appeared to work separately at times, we have always been together.”

According to them, the film will be made in the social drama genre. Currently, the producer and cast selection processes have not begun. Only actors who can do justice to the script will be cast. Jigri Bro and Kaku have collaborated for the past eight years on TV series such as ‘Bhadra Gol’ and ‘Sakkigo Ni.’

The government has drafted an 18-point national commitment document outlining plans to generate employment and self-employment through cooperatives. It commits to bringing the non-banking financial sector under the direct and robust supervision of the central bank. To safeguard cooperative savers’ earnings, an integrated savings protection fund will be established, prioritizing payments to savers of distressed institutions. Kathmandu, 1st Baisakh.

The draft, based on the manifestos of all six national parties represented in the House of Representatives, emphasizes employment creation through cooperatives. In unveiling the draft national commitment, the government pledged to replace the unregulated and weak oversight of cooperatives and microfinance institutions by incorporating the non-banking financial sector under the central bank’s direct and effective supervision.

Cooperatives and microfinance institutions will be linked to the credit information center, ensuring lending based only on borrowers’ real capacity. The focus will be on productive loans, collateral-free collective guarantees, and entrepreneurship loans rooted in local skills. According to the national commitment, the cooperative federation will establish regulations and standards for cooperatives, while provincial and local governments will be responsible for effective registration, record-keeping, and good governance of cooperative institutions.

Registration, reporting, monitoring, and information systems for cooperatives will be fully digitized. The government also commits to commercializing cooperatives, enhancing branding, implementing quality certification, and expanding national and international market access through e-commerce. Additionally, employment and self-employment opportunities will be created through cooperatives targeting youth, women, laborers, and marginalized communities.

April 14, Kathmandu – The government has announced a commitment to reduce the poverty rate to 10 percent within the next five years. Based on the manifestos of six political parties, the national pledge aims to cut the current poverty rate, which stands at 20.27 percent, by half during this period.

“Through a balanced and complementary development model between the private, cooperative, and public sectors, economic and social inequalities will be reduced, resulting in a multidimensional poverty rate declining to 10 percent within five years,” the commitment states. Additionally, the government has set targets to raise the average economic growth rate to seven percent, increase per capita income to three thousand dollars, and bring the total gross domestic product close to 100 billion dollars over the same timeframe.