From Gulf Laborer to Local Entrepreneur: A Success Story in Agriculture

Laxman Kaini, a resident of Vyas Municipality-12, Kamalbari, who spent a decade working abroad, has returned home to pursue a flourishing agricultural business. Faced with limited opportunities abroad and a desire to contribute to his village’s prosperity, Kaini has now embarked on modern commercial beekeeping, lemon, and banana farming.

Kaini’s transformation from a Gulf migrant to a thriving farmer has been remarkable. He invested in seven ropanies of previously barren land in his village, applying modern techniques he learned from YouTube. Kaini’s lemon orchards, grown with great care, now yield fruit year-round thanks to meticulous care, including the use of small cement pillars and bamboo to support lemon branches.

Kaini’s efforts have already borne fruit, with last year’s lemon farming generating an income of approximately Rs. 100,000. He anticipates this year’s earnings to double to Rs. 200,000, and he aims to reach Rs. 300,000 annually within two years.

In addition to lemon farming, Kaini has found success in commercial beekeeping, where he sold honey produced from 40 beehives at the rate of Rs. 1,000 per mana, totaling Rs. 200,000 in sales. Furthermore, his banana farming contributes an additional annual income of about Rs. 50,000.

Speaking about his experiences, Kaini emphasized the importance of utilizing local land for agriculture rather than seeking opportunities abroad. He encouraged the youth to identify market demands and crops suitable for their region, emphasizing that good income can be earned in their home country.

Kaini also called on the government to support youth in agriculture by providing skills training, offering loans at concessional rates, and facilitating the purchase and sale of agricultural products. He expressed his belief that such initiatives would not only boost youth engagement in agriculture but also prevent valuable land from going unused.

Reflecting on his decision to leave his high-paying job in Iraq due to safety concerns, Kaini urged leaders to pay more attention to creating job opportunities within the country. He stated that a focus on local industries and youth employment would help prevent the migration of skilled workers abroad.

Laxman Kaini’s success story serves as an inspiration to others in his community and beyond, demonstrating that with determination and modern farming methods, agriculture can provide a viable and profitable livelihood.