Nepal: Self-taught grower turns to aquaponics
Om Thapa, 48, has built a tunnel on the terrace of his three-storied house to grow vegetables using an aquaponics system. He has used stones, PVC pipe and thermocol inside the tunnel to grow different vegetables. While he is growing garlic, cucumber, tomatoes, carrot, onion and coriander on stones, spinach, chilly, strawberry, tomatoes, potatoes and mint and tomatoes have been cultivated in PVC pipe. Likewise, broccoli, cauliflower and potatoes have been grown in thermocols.
The young farmer learnt about aquaponics while staying in South Korea. When he returned Thapa knew about the aquaponics system through YouTube while he was staying in South Korea. Four years ago, he returned to Nepal and started farming using new techniques.
“I have not taken any training. I learnt about aquaponics from YouTube and started vegetables farming accordingly,” he said, adding that he has invested Rs 1 million [9650 USD] in the project.
Read more at My Republica (Mohan Gurung)