First the planting, then the weeding

We planned a trip to Lubhu, a small village on the east side of the city, to check on rice planting progress and hone our Nepali language skills. The minibus from Lagankhel, Patan’s main bus station was heaving with occupants but undeterred the young conductor pushed a few more aboard as we rumbled along the ring road.  40nrs lighter we stepped off into a collection of traditional Nepali dwellings, where people live in the upper floor and livestock occupy the ground level, often crammed between concrete framed, brick infilled houses. These more modern constructions can run to 3 or four stories with small workshops and stores occupying the ground floor.

Traditional Nepali dwellings

The  more modern version

We followed a circular walk that Jude had plotted, expecting to see more rice planting in action. There was evidence of recently transplanted areas but thankfully most was completed. This demonstrated to us the shortness of Nepal’s growing season since we were only six to eight weeks from harvest and yet transplanting had only just finished. Anything compressing this short growing period such as late arrival of monsoon or an early dry winter period could dramatically affect yields. Climate change is potentially a huge problem to Nepal, causing catastrophic disasters such as landslips and flooding but also the reverse effects of low rainfall and rising temperatures.  

Nepali women hand weed paddy's

Not far from the main village, still amongst houses which dotted this area close to only 5km from the city, we could see women in small groups working the paddy’s. Immediately they had completed planting, since growing conditions are so good in the moisture laden soils, weeding had to start. This task is done by hand, with unwanted plants, mainly grass, being pulled out roots and all. These are then rolled into a ball and trodden down deep into the mud. The women folk went about their work just as before with humour and  their chattering voices disguising the fact they work bent almost double, calf deep in thick muddy soil.

The only man we saw weeding

We also saw our first clues that livestock farming is also important. Again, women were hand cutting fodder which is carried back to tethered goats or housed cows. The terrace faces and track verges provide rich pickings for these stock people. Gathered forage is rich in herbs and other broad leaved plants.

 

 

 

 

Wearing the traditional red denoting marriage, a stock keeper gathers forage.

Sickle's are razor sharp

 As we neared the close of our wanderings we met up with a dairy farmer, tending his five cows. He proudly, showed off his best Jersey cow stating he was getting 18lts per day from her. It almost felt like home!!!!

It looked like a Jersey! Most use AI, and international semen stocks. 

Proud farmer discusses stock with interested passer-by.