– By Prabin Gurung
On October 9, 2026, Kamalamai Municipality in Sindhuli celebrated a historic milestone as 56 dairy farmers graduated from the Heifer-KOICA Farmer Field School in the Korea-Nepal Model Dairy Village. For many of these women, it was the first time they had ever worn a graduation cap, a symbol of recognition and dignity for farmers who have long been overlooked.
Over the past four years, farmers attended 48 sessions on animal husbandry, health, reproduction, and enterprise development. Their classrooms were cowsheds and goat sheds, where learning was practical and rooted in daily life. Beyond technical skills, the program-built confidence, financial literacy, and leadership, enabling women to speak in public, manage cooperatives, and make decisions in their communities.
Voices from the Ceremony
Graduate farmer Guna Kumari Ghimire, Chairperson of the Kamalamai Dairy Collection Center, reflected: “Wearing this graduation hat fills us with pride. This moment is historic because it has finally arrived for farmers. I thank our teachers for their dedication, and now our responsibility is to put these learnings into practice. We are proud, and we are ready.”
Haewon Lee, Executive Director of Heifer Korea, shared her joy: “This has been my dream since day one. I have been with these farmers through thick and thin, and seeing them graduate after four years is a joy. I thank the Korean experts who came to Nepal to share their knowledge, and most of all, the farmers for their patience and commitment.”
Dr. Tirtha Regmi, Country Director of Heifer Nepal, emphasized the broader significance: “This graduation is the result of your hard work and dedication. You, the graduating farmers, are the ones feeding the world, and your contribution deserves respect. Today’s ceremony honors that commitment, and it should inspire farmer graduations across Nepal.”
A Step Toward Transformation
The graduation is part of a broader Korea-Nepal collaboration that is reshaping dairy farming in Sindhuli. Farmers are now raising improved cattle breeds that yield higher milk volumes, helping families increase their incomes and strengthen cooperatives. Alongside livestock improvements, participants have been introduced to modern management practices, learning how to balance feed, maintain healthier cowsheds, and apply preventive care to keep animals strong.
Equally important, the program has encouraged farmers to adopt record-keeping and simple digital tools, giving them greater control over sales, herd health, and household finances. These changes are turning dairy into a more organized and respected enterprise, while also building confidence among women farmers who are stepping into leadership roles in their communities.
A New Chapter for Nepal’s Dairy Sector
While 56 farmers graduated this October, more will follow in December, and a new batch of 100 has already enrolled. For women who had never attended school before, the certificate is more than recognition; it’s empowerment.
This inaugural graduation marks the beginning of a new chapter. Farming can be a respected profession, and farmers can be celebrated as leaders of Nepal’s food system.
