Tulsipur, Oct. 28: Bhatte village, situated in Ward-3 of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, approximately eight kilometres southwest of Tulsipur Bazaar, has gained recognition as a model village for organic farming.
Representatives and officials from federal, provincial and local governments frequently visit the area for observation and study, recognising it as a growing hub for organic farming.
Karna Bahadur Oli, chairperson of the Bhatte Agricultural Cooperative, has launched a campaign to make Bhatte a fully chemical-free village within next four years. According to Oli, local farmers have already begun replacing chemical fertilisers and pesticides with organic alternatives. Organic pesticides are being prepared from natural ingredients such as neem, bakaino (chinaberry), aloe vera, titepati (mugwort), garlic, onion, ginger, castor, and chilli.
Currently, 31 farmers from Bhatte are producing organic fertiliser through vermicomposting, using 50 sets of vermicompost beds, 10 urine collection tanks, and 150 kilograms of earthworms.
Oli explained that farmers have also started using a soil calendar to determine the appropriate timing and type of organic fertiliser and pesticide applications. According to ward chairperson Bir Bahadur Bishwokarma, the initiative to develop Bhatte as an organic village began in 2017 under the Prime Minister's Agriculture Modernisation Programme.
He added that the ward office is arranging electric sprayers to assist farmers in applying organic pesticides as per the soil calendar. Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Tika Ram Khadka informed that the municipality would support the marketing of organic produce from Bhatte.
As consumer demand for organic products continues to rise, he mentioned that a dedicated market space will be allocated for such goods within the city. The mayor also noted that this year's budget for agriculture and livestock has been increased, ensuring further support for organic fertiliser and pesticide production.
Meanwhile, Dilli Bahadur Rawat, chairperson of the Centre for Environmental Sustainable Development and Research, said that an ongoing campaign aims to establish the Dang Valley as an organic production hub by 2033.
As part of the initiative, indigenous varieties of rice, such as Tilki and Simtharo rice, along with potatoes, have been reintroduced for organic cultivation.