By Bristi Vaidya, PhD candidate, AgriPath, Kathmandu University‍

Located just an hour’s drive south of Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle, Dakshinkali Municipality offers an escape into its tranquil surroundings. The entrance to the municipality opens the path towards the sacred temple of goddess Kali, a significant religious site that attracts many pilgrims from all over the country. This inflow of visitors also creates a marketplace outside the temple where one can see local farmers selling their fresh farm produce. 

Towering trees border the narrow roads which are often under construction in the area, creating a striking visual contrast with the panoramic view of Kathmandu valley’s expanding concrete jungle below. As the elevation rises, the scene transitions to terrace farms, meticulously carved by the farmers of Dakshinkali. Among these terraced fields, one often encounters farmers who represent the transitioning face of agricultural practices in the area.