Karnali Farmers Reap Benefits from Interest Subsidy and Agricultural Programs

More than 800 farmers in Karnali Province have benefited from the government’s interest subsidy program under the fiscal year 2081/82. The initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, aims to boost agricultural productivity, promote organic exports, and ensure food security in the remote province.

Subsidized Loans and Agricultural Investment

According to Secretary Parashuram Rawat, 535 agricultural entrepreneurs accessed the subsidy through six banks, while 350 farmers received benefits via ten cooperatives. In total, banks and cooperatives mobilized an investment of approximately NPR 1.44 billion in Karnali’s agricultural sector.

Organic Exports and Certification

Karnali is steadily advancing in organic agriculture certification, with 2,000 farmers involved in certified farming. Each year, the province exports approximately 365 metric tons of dried ginger and turmeric to Germany.

Irrigation Expansion & Employment

The province implemented 747 small-scale irrigation projects, extending irrigation services to 2,142 hectares of farmland. This expansion benefited 16,200 households, creating 125,000 workdays in the process. An additional 900 hectares also received irrigation through other initiatives.

Horticulture Promotion & Crop Support

Under the Agricultural and Enterprise Promotion Program, the province planted:

• 20,100 orange saplings
• 15,400 lemon plants
• 5,000 walnut trees
• 1,000 apple saplings

These benefited 2,800 households, and led to expanded cultivation:

• 70,000 orange trees,
• 24 hectares of lemon,
• 40 hectares of walnut,
• 5 hectares of apple.

The ministry also distributed:

• 16 quintals of high-yield paddy seeds
• 35 quintals of maize
• 60 quintals of wheat
• 245 quintals of ginger and turmeric seeds

This seed distribution supported 650 farmers.

Beekeeping and Livestock Promotion

The government distributed:

• 8,000 Apis Mellifera hives
• 436 Apis Cerana hives
• Essential beekeeping materials

Additionally, over 50 sheep farmers received treatment-related incentives. Under disaster relief, the ministry disbursed NPR 8.2 million to 1,624 farmers affected by storms and hail across 300 hectares.

Soil Testing and Seed Quality Assurance

To improve productivity, 15,204 soil samples were tested, and farmers were given technical recommendations. The province certified 31.51 metric tons of foundation-level seeds from 89 hectares of seed farms.

Artificial Insemination and Dairy Incentives

During the year, 50,018 animals received artificial insemination services. Incentives were extended to 2,507 dairy producers, and 741 sheep/goat farmers under a separate promotional scheme.

Budget Implementation and Progress

Out of the NPR 1.86 billion allocated for the ministry in FY 2081/82:

• 69.25% of the budget was executed
• NPR 1.29 billion spent
• Highest implementation (96.69%) was reported by Agriculture Development Office in Kalikot

Leadership Remarks

Minister Vinod Kumar Shah noted that while funding and needs often misalign, the ministry has achieved positive progress. He also emphasized the lack of resources for evidence-based research.

Chief Minister Yam Lal Kandel added, “Budget implementation must be evaluated not just in numbers, but by its social impact.” He emphasized including returnee migrants and trained individuals in the agriculture profession through focused programs.