By Lilaraj Khadka

Birtamod, Mar. 12 : For five years, Jhapa local Sajeman Sheikh put his life and wellbeing at risk working in the bunkers at war-torn areas of Afghanistan and Iraq. But Sheikh has returned home from his risky foreign employment exploits and has instead set up a lucrative business – earning much more than what he used to away from home.

With an investment of Rs. 10 million, he established Pathibhara Multipurpose Agricultural Farm – a cow farm, which has literally turned out to be a profitable cash cow for young Sheikh. “Every month, I have been able to save Rs. 80,000 from total profit after accounting for all costs,” he informed.

Upon returning home, Sheikh invested the amount he had collected during his foreign employment in buying a piece of land to set up the farm. “I got the land, built stables, cultivated the land and established this farm. Ever since, I have never had to look back.

There’s no need for me to even contemplate going abroad,” he exclaimed jubilantly. So far, Sheikh’s farm houses 19 cows, of which seven comprise of Holstein cattle, Australian Friesian and Sahiwal breed of cows. Likewise, there are five calves and seven other species of cows brought from India.

Raised in Quran, Sheikh is a devout Muslim. “Doing something as pure as working with cows, it doesn’t matter if I am a Hindu or a Muslim as long as I keep doing well for myself and my community,” he explained adding that his venture has provided employment to three other locals.

In terms of support, Sheikh has been a one-man-army shouldering much of the responsibility of the farm. So far, the local government has only contributed a chaff cutter. “A bit more help from the local authorities would go a long way.

If only the local government could provide seeds to induce birth in cows, I might be able to house over a hundred cattle and provide employment to a dozen other individuals,” he said.

Located in close proximity to the Nepal-India border, milk produced in Sheikh’s farm is also in-demand from across the border. Producing 150 litres of milk on a daily basis, the young entrepreneur, however, is upset about not being able to increase production to meet the growing demand.

Coming home and setting up the farm has proved to be a wonderful blessing for Sheikh who not so long ago lived under constant threat of bombings and gun fights.

“Instead of pursuing a stressed life abroad, I think it’s wiser to work your fingers to bone on your own soil,” he added while also expressing his intent towards expansion. In the near future, Sheikh plans to offer calves to local farmers so they themselves can establish their own cattle breeding farms.

“Apart from financial gains, I have also earned respect and honour, which was unheard of during foreign employment,” he claimed.