Madhes: Farmers involved in animal husbandry in the Madhes province are set to receive substantial financial assistance in the form of grants.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the Bardibas-based Economic Corridor Project Office of the Madhes Province Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has announced that the process to distribute Rs 2 billion in grants to 179 farmer groups in the region is nearing completion. This initiative aims to encourage agricultural activities and boost production among local farmers.
The Office Chief, Surendra Yadav, stated that the programme is being implemented with financial backing from the World Bank. The grants will be distributed among farmer groups located in eight districts of Madhes province, encompassing over 5,000 farmers, as noted by Information Officer Santosh Prakash.
The allocation of grants will depend on the number of farmers in each group and their proposed projects. Notably, Rautahat district is set to receive the highest amount of Rs 550 million, followed by Saptari with Rs 310 million, Mahottari with Rs 260 million, Dhanusha with Rs 230 million, Sarlahi with Rs 160 million, and Bara with Rs 140 million. Meanwhile, Parsa district is allocated the lowest amount of Rs 70 million.
The funding arrangement requires the farmer groups to contribute 55 percent of the total investment, while the project office will cover the remaining 45 percent. This initiative spans 84 local levels connected by the east-west highway and postal highway in the province. The primary objective of the project is to foster rural enterprises by creating a supportive environment that enhances market relations between small-scale producers and farmers engaged in the agricultural value chain.