Irrigation Minister emphasizes on developing farmer-friendly projects

Kathmandu- Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has stressed on developing irrigation projects convenient to the farmers.

In a discussion with the delegation from the Mechanized Irrigation Innovation Project at the Ministry today, Minister Khadka urged the bodies concerned to think about how any new irrigation project is going to be useful and convenient to farmers, while constructing new projects. “How the neighbouring countries have provided subsidies to the farmers in irrigation, this has to be studied and new projects taken ahead,” he suggested.

Minister Khadka also on the occasion expressed commitment to discuss with the Ministry of Finance regarding the cost required while moving ahead the projects. Project Chief Ajaya Raj Adhikari said that the Project has been pursued initially with the objective of making irrigation facility available to 22,400 hectares area at 16 local units in Sarlahi and Rautahat districts. Stating that the Project has been moved ahead supplying irrigation water in the farmers’ fields through deep tube well and prepaid card, he said the Project would be completed within four years.

It is said the farmers will be able to use 1,000 litres water for irrigation purpose at three rupees after the completion of the project. The Asian Development Bank has 78 per cent and the government 22 per cent investment in this Project.