Cold store constructed in Bajura at a cost of Rs. 85 lakh

Bajura: A cold storage facility has been constructed in Bajura at a total cost of Rs. 85 lakh to support agricultural development in the region. The project was funded jointly by the provincial government and Badimalika Municipality.

At the inauguration event on Saturday, organized by the Directorate of Agricultural Development and Badimalika Municipality, Sudurpaschim Province's Minister of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperative Development, Bir Bahadur Thapa, emphasized the government's commitment to achieving agricultural self-sufficiency. Minister Thapa stated that policies and programs are being implemented to modernize agriculture and promote locally produced Raithane crops.

Highlighting the agricultural potential of the hilly districts, Minister Thapa said, "The government is prioritizing seven districts to harness their agricultural potential. We aim to increase investment in this sector and make youth self-employed by utilizing vacant lands in these regions."

The cold store and agricultural market were established to manage Raithane crops and other produce from farmers across the municipality and district. According to Bhumiraj Upadhyay, head of the Agricultural Knowledge Center in Bajura, the project cost Rs. 85,01,840, with Rs. 12,15,471 contributed by Badimalika Municipality and Rs. 41,19,984 from the Directorate of Agricultural Development in Doti.

The facility will support the purchase, sale, and storage of vegetables and food crops produced by local farmers. Upadhyay added that the cold store will simplify the sale and distribution of fruits, vegetables, and rice crops by providing a centralized storage and trading hub.

Although construction was initially scheduled to be completed in 2076, the project faced delays and was handed over after five years. The cold store is expected to assist in storing and distributing produce such as potatoes, bananas, oranges, apples, and traditional crops, ensuring better management and accessibility for farmers.