Laxman Kuikel, a cattle rearer, was plowing the field after the year's harvest, when one of his bulls attacked him from behind, puncturing his lower back. For three hours, Laxman lay unconscious on the ground.

"Blood was flowing out from the wound and his organs were exposed. It was one of the most horrifying scenes I had ever seen," recalls Laxman's daughter. When he was brought to the hospital, Laxman's condition was critical.

The doctors operated on him immediately, but even after surgery, it took him two days to regain consciousness.

"Cattle-rearing has been my only way of making a living for over a decade now. Never had I imagined such perils were possible in something that had almost become second nature to me," Laxman said once he was finally able to voice words after his surgery.

"We farmers work at our own risk every single day. Droughts, insects, diseases and now - animal injuries: when will we get the security we deserve? If there's anything I've learned from this incident, it is that my work is not worth my life. I now have qualms about continuing to make a living out of farming and rearing. I think my feelings resonate with many farmers in Nepal."

Approximately 2 in 3 households in rural regions of the Indian subcontinent are dependent on agriculture for a living. Of them, many farmers and rearers in countries like Nepal have no safety nets in place. As a result, financial and health burdens crush their lives.

In Nepali, "Sahaara" means support. The bold use of colors in this painting reflects the gravity of the problem. While Laxman's wound will soon heal, the thousands of emotionally, socially and financially wounded farmers are yet to be heard.

(The name of the patient has been changed to protect his identity.)