Students enrolled in technical schools are dedicated to their studies and actively involved in supplementary income-generating endeavors. In Mangala Rural Municipality-2, students specializing in agricultural science at Mangala Secondary School and Farmer Agriculture Technical School in Maalika Rural Municipality-7 cultivate and sell mushrooms, enhancing their financial resources.
The school's principal, Gam Bahadur Khatri, shared that since the commencement of crop science education in the advanced classes (9-12) at Mangala Secondary School, students have ventured beyond classrooms to cultivate and vend mushrooms in Babiachaur. The mushrooms produced by students are also recognized in the market as 'student mushrooms.'
For practical training, the school has initiated mushroom cultivation on leased land. According to Principal Khatri, the mushrooms cultivated by students are retailed at a wholesale price of Rs. 125 per kilogram. He noted, "The mushrooms produced by students are currently in high demand in the Babiya Chaur market. The school equips students with all the essential agricultural tools, from seeds to fertilizers, and students involved in mushroom cultivation actively contribute to the local community by exploring market opportunities."
The principal emphasized that students receive education on contemporary agricultural practices and production in the school. He highlighted their goal to educate students and share knowledge with parents in the community. Deepesh Thapa, a student engaged in chayote cultivation, expressed that one can achieve substantial income by selling mushrooms in the market within a month with minimal investment.
Thapa disclosed that he has sold over 17 kilograms of mushrooms from his farm. Students at this institution cultivate various crops, including mushrooms, off-season vegetables, tomatoes, and onion seeds, on two leased plots provided by the Model School of the Nepalese Government, Mangala Secondary School. The Nepali government granted the school permission in 2076 to conduct agricultural science, and regular teaching activities are underway.
