Local Farming Revolution Transforms Humla District, Nepal
Until five years ago, Sita Rokaya, a resident of Ward 7 in Simkot Rural Municipality, Humla district, faced significant challenges in accessing fresh vegetables. With irregular flights and high transport costs, she had no choice but to purchase produce from Nepalgunj and Surkhet at exorbitant prices. The logistical hurdles often left fresh vegetables either unavailable or unaffordable. Today, however, Rokaya, who runs a hotel in Simkot Bazar, proudly serves fresh, organic vegetables grown locally in Humla, including spinach, cauliflower, peas, radishes, and tomatoes. This shift has not only improved the quality of her meals but also made them more affordable.
“Even if flights were available, we had to pay around Rs120 in transport for vegetables that cost only Rs50 in Nepalgunj or Surkhet,” Rokaya explained. “Local vegetable production has been a game-changer for us.”
A New Era of Self-Sufficiency
Historically, Humla’s agricultural output was limited to potatoes and beans. However, recent years have seen a remarkable transformation, with tomatoes, radishes, leafy greens, cauliflower, and peas now thriving in the region. This shift is not merely a dietary improvement but a significant economic boon for local farmers, who are increasingly less reliant on external supplies.
Dhugma Bohora, a resident of Ward 2 in Simkot, has been cultivating off-season vegetables in plastic tunnels for the past few years. Despite the harsh winter conditions, she successfully grows leafy greens, cauliflower, cabbage, and tomatoes near her home. “This season, I sold half of my produce and earned Rs40,000,” Bohora shared. Her neighbor, Bhuma Bhandari, has also found success with cauliflower and tomatoes.
Empowering Women Through Agriculture
The rise in local farming has been particularly empowering for women in Simkot and surrounding villages, which sit at an altitude of around 3,000 meters. In Thehe village, women have taken up commercial vegetable farming, reducing their dependence on male family members who previously sought work in India. “Before, we had to rely on men for daily wage labor, but now our farming covers household expenses,” Bohora said. She and two dozen other women walk three hours to Simkot to sell their produce, with leafy greens fetching Rs30 per bundle.
Bhandari added that the income from vegetable sales has enabled families to invest in their children’s education. “We used to depend entirely on our husbands’ earnings, but now we save around Rs10,000 a month from vegetable farming,” she said.
Reducing Dependency on Costly Imports
Until recently, most of Simkot’s vegetables were transported by air from Nepalgunj and Surkhet, driving up costs. With the region’s unreliable road network, air transport was the only viable option. Prem Lama, a resident of Simkot, recalls paying up to Rs250 per kilogram for imported vegetables, which often arrived stale due to delays. The shift to local farming has drastically reduced these issues, with fresh vegetables now available at Rs150 per kilogram in Simkot markets. Surplus potatoes and beans are even being transported to Nepalgunj and Surkhet, signaling growing self-sufficiency.
Nandu Budha, a local trader, believes that with government support in the form of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation, Humla could start exporting vegetables within a few years. “Commercial vegetable farming is expanding in villages like Burausiya, Hildum, Bargaun, Langdu, Torpa, Timatang, Dojam, and Chhipra,” he said.
Climate Change Opens New Opportunities
Rising temperatures have made it possible to grow crops previously unsuitable for high altitudes. In Mugum Karmarong Rural Municipality of Mugu, rice cultivation has begun in Papu village, located at 3,400 meters above sea level. “We used to grow only barley, but now we plant rice during the monsoon,” said local farmer Chhiring Dorje Lama. His seven-ropani (0.36 hectares) field now yields ten muri (about 500 kilograms) of rice annually.
Other high-altitude villages, such as Rowa, Bhambada, and Pina, are now producing tomatoes, chillies, cabbage, and cauliflower. “Snowfall has decreased in higher regions, while crops from the lowlands are thriving here,” Lama noted.
Fruits Flourish in Formerly Barren Highlands
Beyond grains and vegetables, fruits like apples, mangoes, pomegranates, and guavas are now flourishing in the highlands. Ganesh Giri from Sukadhik in Ward 8 of Khatyad Rural Municipality, Mugu, has been growing mangoes for six years. His orchard, situated at 1,900 meters, also produces apples. His neighbor, Takka Dangar, planted 15 mango trees, five of which are now bearing fruit. He also grows pomegranates and bananas, crops once deemed impossible in the area. “People don’t believe mangoes grow here until they see them,” Dangar said.
Experts Warn of Potential Risks
Despite the benefits, agricultural experts caution against potential risks. Ramesh Sharma, an agricultural scientist, warns that cultivating hybrid vegetables in mountainous regions could lead to soil depletion and pest migration. “While these crops meet immediate needs, they could gradually degrade soil fertility and introduce new pests to the Himalayas,” he explained. He also expressed concern for the survival of native crops.
Environmental experts attribute the success of lowland crops in high-altitude areas to climate change. “We see sal trees growing alongside apple orchards. Lowland crops are thriving at high altitudes due to climate change and advanced farming techniques,” said Arjun Acharya, an environmental expert.
Government Support for High-Altitude Farming
The Karnali provincial government recognizes the growing potential of high-altitude farming. Dhan Bahadur Kathayat, spokesperson for the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, noted that farmers in the mountains are gradually shifting to commercial agriculture. “To support this trend, we are distributing saplings for citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and mangoes,” he said.
While climate change has opened new agricultural opportunities, experts emphasize the need to balance these advancements with the preservation of indigenous crops and environmental sustainability. The transformation in Humla and surrounding regions highlights both the promise and challenges of adapting to a changing climate.
