The five-year project, designed for 10 hilly and mountainous districts of mid- and far-western regions, is expected to benefit 53,000 farmers in Surkhet, Dailekh, Salyan, Jajarkot, Kalikot, Jumla, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla and Achham.[break]
The project, supported by the United Nation´s International Fund for Agricultural Development, was launched with the aim of promoting farming of high-value crops and raise income level of marginalized farmers, women and the poor.
“These are expected to reduce poverty and vulnerability of people living in mountainous and hilly areas of the country,” Project Chief Rajendra Bhari said.
The project has set a target of raising income level of beneficiaries by at least Rs 30,000 per year, while raising enrolment of women in cooperatives and increasing their participation in business activities by at least 60 percent. The project has also set a goal of raising participation of Dalits, indigenous groups and marginalized communities in high-value crop farming by at least 25 percent.
Hari Prasad Gurung, agricultural development officer of the project, said focus is currently on commercialization of ginger, apple and off-season vegetable farming, seedling production and livestock farming.
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