I still remember the day I sat down with Dilim Hamal in his small but vibrant farm nestled in the hills of Dhodeni, Mandandeupur-08, Kavrepalanchok. As he spoke, his story unfolded like a journey I’d heard from so many Nepali youths—but with an ending that was different. And deeply inspiring.
Back in 2071 BS, Dilim was one of countless young men who left for Malaysia in search of work and a better life. But despite the years abroad, he told me, the pull of his homeland, his soil, his people, his mountains never let go. In 2018, he came back. Not because he had to, but because he wanted to build something real at home.
He didn’t return with a business plan or a ready-made path. He returned with hope, and a willingness to start from zero. One day, by what he calls sheer luck, he noticed a signboard: Mandandeupur Agriculture and Forest Resource Center. Curious, he stepped in. That moment changed everything.
There, he learned about bio-intensive fruit farming—something he’d never even imagined before. With support from Eco Himal Nepal, Dilim received training, guidance, and access to high-quality seedlings. He planted avocado, peaches, lemons, apples, walnuts, and even macadamia—high-value crops that suit the hilly terrain.
What struck me most was how he involved his whole family and poured love into every corner of his small plot. Slowly, it transformed. His trees now yield 15–20 kilograms of fruit each, and for the first time, he told me with a smile, he was earning not just surviving.
But he didn’t stop there. Dilim added organic vegetables, using a multilayer cropping technique. He intercropped seasonal produce, protected the soil, and kept his farm 100% organic. By using local inputs and selling directly to the market, he reduced costs and saw his profits rise. I was honestly amazed when he told me that in just the first quarter of 2025, from only 25% of his land, he earned a net profit of Rs. 87,000 (~£471).
Sitting across from him, I realized he was no longer just a farmer—he had become a symbol of what’s possible when knowledge, hard work, and heart come together. His journey is now inspiring others in his community and beyond. Young people are beginning to believe that success doesn’t have to be found abroad. It can be cultivated right here.
“I didn’t find success in another country,” he said, quietly but confidently. “I found it in my own field.”
Dilim’s story isn’t just his - it’s a lesson in resilience, innovation, and the promise of sustainable agriculture. It’s proof that even when you start with nothing, with the right support and the right mindset, you can grow everything you need. I heard his story firsthand, saw it with my own eyes, and that’s why I feel compelled to share
Uma Basnet
Agriculture Technician
Mandan Deupur Agroforestry Resource Centre