Mansingh B.K
Planting Foreign Experience, Growing Local Opportunity
After four years working in Kuwait, Mansingh B.K. made a decision that would change his life—he chose to return home to Badigad. The long hours of foreign labor proved exhausting and left him searching for meaning beyond just earning a wage. He understood that what he really wanted was to use the skills and knowledge he had gained abroad to create a sustainable future for himself and his community.
In Kuwait, Mansingh worked in a nursery where he developed expertise in agricultural techniques, including grafting and plant care. Returning to Badigad, he confronted one of the challenges facing rural Nepal: agriculture alone is often not enough to maintain a stable livelihood. This economic reality is a major reason many young people choose to seek employment far from home. But Mansingh believed that dedication to farming—working a few hours each day—could be as productive as the long shifts overseas. He was motivated by the idea that hard work applied locally could build genuine livelihood.
Starting his journey, Mansingh invested in apple farming by importing seeds and saplings from Italy. Nepal’s landlocked geography posed serious logistical challenges and significant costs. Recognizing the expense of air freight, he chose a more affordable route—shipping by sea to Kolkata, then transporting the plants by road into Nepal. Although this method was more manageable, it remained costly. Mansingh notes that government support, even a partial subsidy, would make all the difference to farmers and entrepreneurs working under similar conditions.
Beyond economics, Mansingh reflects on the state of his village. The scale of migration for foreign employment has drained communities of vital human resources. In some places, there are so few people that even attending a neighbor’s funeral becomes difficult. For Mansingh, these realities underscored the importance of staying, working, and investing in his hometown.
While Nepal lacks many modern agricultural tools, Mansingh sees promise in the country’s geography and climate. Applying the grafting techniques he learned abroad, he successfully cultivated apples in Badigad—fruit many believed could only grow in Mustang. What was once greeted with skepticism has gained acceptance as neighbors witness the orchard’s results.
Today, Mansingh’s apple enterprise generates roughly 1.5 million nepali rupees annually. Yet, the unpredictability of mountain weather remains a significant challenge. Hailstorms often damage crops and reduce production. Mansingh envisions a future where farmers receive essential support—hail netting, raw covers, and accessible grants—that could protect their livelihoods and encourage more farms to pursue sustainable agriculture.
Mansingh’s story is not just about one man’s farm. It’s about bringing knowledge home, confronting real challenges with determination, and opening pathways for rural Nepal to thrive. It’s a quiet reminder that when people invest in their communities, even in the face of hardship, change becomes possible. Mission Aasha supports farmers like Mansingh by providing resources and training to help build these opportunities. With your support, this work can continue—giving more people the tools to grow not only crops but futures rooted in their own soil.
“My story isn’t just mine. It is about bringing knowledge home and shaping it to perfection with opportunities that fuel the raw determination of people like me.