Ganga Prasad Gurung
Trading Foreign Shores for Familiar Doors
Ganga Prasad Gurung’s journey is a powerful example of perseverance and transformation rooted in returning home and nurturing new opportunities. At 53 years old, this resident of Siranchok Rural Municipality, Ward No. 1, lives with his family of seven, including three daughters and two sons. Struggling to afford his children’s education, Ganga Prasad left for Qatar in 2068 B.S., hoping for a better future. After three years of hard work, he returned in 2072 B.S., but his savings were minimal, and his income had only covered the basics.
Back home, he turned to farming in search of a new path. On the advice of a local teacher, he invested NPR 150,000 in cardamom cultivation. Unfortunately, disease struck the crop early, bringing disappointment and financial loss. Undeterred, Ganga Prasad shifted his focus to coffee farming and nursery cultivation. Starting small with 60 saplings and an initial investment of NPR 70,000, he patiently expanded his farm to about half a hectare.
Today, his efforts have borne fruit—he earns NPR 200,000 annually from coffee and NPR 300,000 from sapling sales, generating a total income of NPR 500,000. This success has not only supported his family but also allowed him to fund his children’s higher education, lifting the financial burdens that once weighed heavily on him.
During this time, Ganga Prasad learned about the Growth Entrepreneurship and Employment Promotion (GEEP) program, a collaborative initiative by the Gandaki Provincial Government, Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Siranchok Rural Municipality, and Daayitwa. He applied through the ward office and was honored to be selected among the top 40, and later the top 20 entrepreneurs. This recognition gave him a strong sense of belonging and visibility within his community.
Through GEEP’s training on innovation and business planning, Ganga Prasad gained the confidence and skills needed to manage his enterprise more strategically. He has since acquired the necessary technological tools and equipment to improve his coffee and nursery farm. Looking forward, he aspires to expand the reach of his products beyond local markets to national and international levels.
Ganga Prasad’s journey is a powerful reminder that with patience, courage, and support, one can overcome setbacks and build a better future. His determination to secure his family’s well-being has inspired his community. Each sapling and cup of coffee represents not just his success, but hope and growth for those around him. His story shows that coming home can be the first step toward a brighter tomorrow.
“With the acquisition of better technological tools, I now aspire to expand the reach of my products beyond local markets.”