Devka Pokharel
A Life Poured Into Milk and Meaning
At 40, Devka Pokharel from Hupsekot, Gandaki, never thought of herself as a businesswoman. Yet, day by day, season by season, she built a livelihood from the ground up—planting, raising animals, tending fields, and milking cows—until, one day, it became real. She is now the proud owner and operator of Pokharel Krishi Tatha Pashupanchhi Farm.
Eight years ago, Devka was simply trying to keep her family afloat. With a husband without steady income and three sons to raise, daily survival was a constant challenge. She hadn’t finished school—Grade 10 slipped away not because of lack of desire, but due to life’s demands. Then came marriage, children, and the fields.
She started small: a few rows of vegetables, a handful of goats, and honest faith.
Slowly, what began as subsistence grew into a system—a way to feed not just mouths but dreams. When her eldest son finished his +2 in Kathmandu and returned home with no money and no desire to seek foreign employment, he said, “I want to stay. I want to build something here.” That single sentence ignited a fire in Devka. Together, they began rearing cows—just a few at first. Today, their herd has grown to 14.
The milk they sell—about 45 to 50 liters daily—is more than just a product; it’s a symbol of hope, resilience, and choosing to build a future at home rather than chasing uncertainty abroad. Her son has become the heart of the enterprise, with the whole family contributing, not just in words but through shared labor.
A field visit with Sana Kishan-Krishak Samuha opened Devka’s eyes to what people with limited means could achieve. It wasn’t just a lesson; it became a belief: “If they can do it, so can I.”
Taking that determination to the Growth Entrepreneurship and Employment Promotion (GEEP) program, Devka sought not only support but new skills and clarity. She learned how to structure her business, reach markets, and plan for growth. Armed with this knowledge, she introduced cow mats to protect her cattle from illness and cold, and dreams of a future where the farm will not only sell milk and calves but also paneer, sweets, and other dairy products from their own milk factory.
Today, Devka earns around NPR 60,000 to 70,000 each month. She no longer struggles to define herself in her community; she has become a provider, planner, and local leader—roles she never had formal schooling to pursue but now embodies fully.
For Devka, entrepreneurship started as a necessity and grew into pride. For her son, it was a bold declaration that staying home is an act of courage. Their journey is ongoing, but one thing is clear: each jar of milk poured every morning tells the story of a family who refused to give up on home.
Milk from cattle farming enjoys strong market demand. Even when fresh milk sales dip, it can be processed into a variety of dairy products. Because income closely follows effort, Devka and her family remain hopeful and dedicated to their business. She believes that for Nepal’s people—especially its youth—self-employment and building enterprises within the country are essential to creating jobs and strengthening the economy.
“For me, entrepreneurship started as a necessity and grew into pride.”