From Israel’s Fields to Nepal’s Farms: How Cooperatives Helped a Young Farmer Transform His Life

"Training in Israel, Building Dreams in Nepal — this is the inspiring journey of a small farmer who turned challenges into opportunities with the support of Nepal's cooperative movement.

Shiva Kumar Tamang, son of Dhan lal and Yam Maya Tamang, hails from Lwangghalel, Kaski. Struggling with limited farmland, his family migrated to Lahachok’s Mardikhola to seek better opportunities. Growing up with eight siblings in a remote village with little access to schools and facilities, Shiva balanced farming chores with his studies. He completed his SLC from Mahendra Secondary School, Lahachok, and later pursued hotel management training in Pokhara to support his family financially.

Although he started as a waiter in a five-star hotel, Shiva's dream was always to become a self-reliant entrepreneur. After an unsuccessful attempt to establish a restaurant business and a short stint abroad in Kuwait, he realized his true passion lay back home in agriculture.

Inspired by his relatives' farming success and motivated by the leadership of Sana Kisan Agriculture Cooperative, Lahachok, Shiva enrolled for an agriculture training program in Israel through Sana Kisan Bikas Bank. Selected after a competitive process, he underwent a year-long intensive hands-on agricultural training at the prestigious AICAT College, Israel.

Returning to Nepal with new skills and a savings of NPR 1 million, Shiva dreamt of setting up a high-tech farm. However, establishing an advanced farm required significant investment. Facing rejections from banks, Shiva found hope again in the Sana Kisan Agriculture Cooperative, which provided him a low-interest rural agriculture enterprise loan.

With this crucial support, Shiva founded the Organic Agriculture and Livestock Farm in Lahachok. Starting with 60 ropani of farmland, 47 drip irrigation greenhouses, and a goat farm with 85 goats (including improved breeds by cross-breeding local goats with Boer goats), he practices off-season vegetable farming  growing tomatoes, cauliflower, cucumbers, leafy greens, and capsicum.

Today, Shiva’s farm earns about NPR 3.5 million annually, with a net profit of NPR 1.2 million after expenses. His farm not only supports his family but also provides regular employment to five local youths, showcasing the transformative role of agriculture and cooperatives in  Nepal.

Thanks to the foundation laid by cooperatives like Sana Kisan, small farmers like Shiva Kumar Tamang are becoming successful agri-entrepreneurs in Nepal , contributing to Nepal’s food security, rural economy, and sustainable development.