14 farmers awarded

KATHMANDU, April 24: The government and International Family Farming 2014 Implementation Committee have jointly have awarded 14 farmers from across the country who are involved in subsistence farming.

Secretary at the Ministry of Agricultural Development Uttam Kumar Bhattarai awarded Rs 20,000 each to those farmers who are involved in family farming, thereby setting a model in domestic agriculture industry.

Speaking at the occasion, Secretary Bhattarai said that most of the farmers involved in family farming are finding it difficult to get agricultural loan from banks and financial institutions (BFIs).

Related story

Farmers in Chitwan earn over RS 65 million by selling seeds

"Once farmers get loan and other subsidies in farming, development of agricultural sector will get momentum," he said, adding "The government will work to ensure that farmers get loan and other subsidies."

The awarded farmers represented different development regions of the country. While Hemraj Bista of Jhapa was from eastern region, Janak Shiwakoti, Mohammad Gafur Rahain, Balaram Dhamala, Samjana Pandit and Arjun Prasad Khanal were from central region.

Similarly, Buddhi Prasad Dhakal, Dinesh Belbase, Sharada Rijal and Ram Prasad Gautam were from western region and Nita Kumari Chand and Harish Chandra KC were from mid-western region of the country. Likewise, Ram Prasad Jaisi and Ram Singh Dhamai were from the far-western region.

These award winning farmers are involved in livestock and farming.

Khem Bahadur Pathak, president of the implementation committee, said that rise in family farming could help to minimize import of agricultural products.