Bajhang, Sept. 19 -- Pyaru Sarki of Kailas in Jayaprithvi Municipality spends his days shaping leather fittings for threshing equipment, sieves, and plough harnesses used by local farmers. In return, he receives khalo-a socio-economic tradition in which Dalit communities are handed out grains twice a year for their labours. On his small plot of terrace land, he also grows wheat, barley, millet, and paddy. Two decades ago, his own harvest sustained his family for about two months, while the khalo grain fed all eight members for the rest of the year. Day labour in his spare time covered their clothing and household essentials.

"We used to harvest six to seven sacks of grain from our own field, and another 15 to 20 sacks came through khalo,...