Agri-machinery apprenticeship helps family rebound from the pandemic

Initially, they struggled to earn a living from farming alone. Birkha's determination to improve his family's situation led him to attend training on repair and maintenance, securing a repair job that doubled his annual income to NRs. 200,000 (USD 1,606). However, the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shattered his livelihood when he lost his job, and the family struggled to make ends meet. In March 2023, Birkha participated in training organized by USAID KISAN II on agri-machinery repair and maintenance. This training, combined with a follow-on apprenticeship at Laxmi Agriculture Suppliers, a sister company of KISAN II partner Laxmi Agrovet Center, helped Birkha enhance his technical skills and confidence. His new work provided a reliable source of income and enabled his family to recover from the financial hardships they faced during the pandemic. Birkha's new role involved providing door-to-door repair and maintenance services to farmers, saving them time and money. His services were in high demand, and he repaired 17 mini-tillers in just two months, earning NRs. 50,000 (USD 384). Farmers, such as Kamala Roka, a local rice farmer, benefited from Birkha's services, which enabled them to repair machinery quickly and efficiently, saving them time and money. The training and apprenticeship opportunities provided by USAID KISAN II not only helped Birkha but also boosted Laxmi Agriculture Suppliers' business. Owner Sammar Bahadur Regmi reported an increase in sales of spare parts and an expansion of their services in the community, leading to an annual turnover of around NRs. 28 million (USD 214,023) in just 1.5 years of establishment. With the provincial and local governments promoting agri-mechanization, the demand for repair and maintenance services is on the rise. Lekbeshi municipality plans to distribute 200 subsidized mini-tillers in fiscal year 2023/2024, but lacks an adequate number of skilled technicians to assemble and fit the machinery. Noting this opportunity, Birkha plans to start his own machinery supply, repair, and maintenance business venture after gaining a few more months of experience working with Laxmi Agriculture Suppliers.