Ravi Lal Pantha
From Faraway Dreams to Local Success: How One Man’s Return Transformed a Valley and Its Future
In the tri-junction of Palpa, Gulmi, and Syangja districts lies the sacred Ridi valley, known for its religious significance and the shaligram fossils found there. Despite its spiritual importance, the valley is remote, with limited access to markets, making it an unlikely place for a thriving business. However, Ravi Lal Pantha, a returnee migrant worker from South Korea, saw an opportunity where others did not. He established Gaurav Dudh Dairy Tatha Prasodhan Kendra in 2014, transforming the local economy and creating a value chain that benefits 120 farmers in the surrounding districts.
Pantha's journey began with a desire to contribute to his homeland after years of working abroad. His initial foray into business in Kathmandu had ended in disappointment, leading him to seek better opportunities in South Korea under the Employment Permit Scheme (EPS). Despite earning a substantial income as a ship pilot, Pantha felt unfulfilled and disconnected from his family and culture. The experience of being treated as a second-class citizen abroad deepened his longing to return to Nepal and make a meaningful impact.
When he came back, Pantha noticed that while local farmers in Ridi reared cattle, they did not do so for commercial purposes. Dairy products were in high demand for festivals and rituals, yet there was a scarcity of milk, especially in the summer when products brought for pujas would spoil. Sensing a business opportunity, Pantha decided to start a dairy business in the area, despite lacking experience in the industry.
The early days were challenging. Pantha struggled to sell milk, often working from dawn until late at night with little success. His friends thought he was foolish for risking his savings on such a venture. But Pantha's determination and belief in his vision kept him going. He sought training from the district veterinary hospital and the Dairy Development Corporation, learning the skills necessary to process milk into ghee, curd, and paneer.
Pantha’s growth mindset, rooted in the belief that discipline and hard work could transform not only his life but also his community, drove him forward. He introduced paneer to the local market by giving it away at banquets, allowing people to pay what they wanted if they liked it. This strategy paid off, and soon, paneer became a staple at local gatherings. Today, he sells paneer at NRs. 850 per kilogram, and his shop in Ridi Bazar is bustling with customers from morning till night.
Pantha’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of resilience and growth. He expanded his operations, establishing outlets in Gulmi and Palpa and delivering packaged milk and dairy products to shops. He now processes between 800-1,000 liters of milk daily, collected from farmers in the area. The trust he has built with local farmers is so strong that even when offered more money by others, they remain loyal to him.
His success has also allowed him to take on a role that aligns with Daayitwa's approach: connecting farmers with the market and acting as a mediator between them and the government. He facilitates training programs for farmers and ensures that government support reaches those who need it most. Pantha's work has had a ripple effect, with more farmers in the region going commercial, contributing to the local economy.
Reflecting on his journey, Pantha notes the stark contrast between his past and present. In South Korea, despite earning Rs200,000 a month, he felt a lack of respect and fulfillment. Now, in Nepal, he may earn less, but the respect and trust he has gained from his community are invaluable. "No matter how much or little you earn, people still respect you," he says.
Pantha’s story is a powerful example of growth entrepreneurship, where personal growth and business success go hand in hand with community development. His disciplined work ethic, honed abroad, has been instrumental in his achievements in Nepal. His dream is to continue working well into old age, building a positive legacy and helping fellow Nepalis find employment in their own country.
In his words: "Najau aba khadima khusi sanga paisa khojum hamrai pakha, hamrai barima." (Let us no longer seek happiness and money in foreign lands; let us find them in our own fields and hills.)