Ilam: The farmers in Ilam district have significantly expanded their agricultural activities following a substantial subsidy in agricultural inputs aimed at promoting modern farming techniques. The local governments in Ilam are offering up to a 75 percent subsidy on agricultural tools, encouraging the adoption of mechanized farming.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the subsidy initiative has enabled farmers like Hari Dhakal from Maijogmai Rural Municipality-3 to enhance their farming capabilities. Dhakal has successfully expanded his farmland after receiving a 75 percent subsidy on a hand-held tractor, commonly known as a power tiller, from the rural municipality.
Similarly, Chandra Bhandari from Pramejung village within the same municipality expressed his commitment to pursuing commercial farming, thanks to the subsidized tea harvesting machines. Bhandari is optimistic about increased production levels compared to previous years.
Under the agricultural mechanization program, the rural municipality distributed hand-held tractors and tea harvesting machines to local farmers on Thursday, aiming to stimulate commercial farming and farmer enthusiasm. Rural Municipality Chairman Kush Bahadur Thebe highlighted the potential of this initiative to inspire farmers by providing necessary agricultural tools through grants.
On Thursday, a total of 13 hand-held tractors and 17 tea harvesting machines were distributed, with the support of the Koshi Province Government under the Conditional Grant Programme. Farmers contributed 25 percent of the total costs to acquire the equipment, thereby investing in their agricultural future.
Chairman Thebe emphasized that the rural municipality plans to monitor the usage and effectiveness of the distributed machines to ensure their optimal utilization and impact on local farming practices.