Cold storage constructed in Godavari, Kailali, to support local farmers

Kailali: A cold storage facility has been constructed on the premises of Krishi Hat Bazaar in Godavari Municipality-1, with preparations underway to hand it over to the Agricultural Market Management Committee Attariya before Tihar, according to Khagendra Prasad Sharma, Director General of the Directorate of Agriculture Development.

The Directorate had allocated Rs 16,77,963, including VAT, for the project. A contract agreement was signed on 20 Jestha 2078 with Anshu Nirman Sewa, Nawadurga Dadeldhura, for Rs 9,242,166, including VAT. The actual expenditure until completion was Rs 9,116,425. The cold storage has a capacity of 350 metric tons (3,500 quintals).

“The construction was completed on 22 Ashad 2081, and the facility is ready for operation. We planned to hand it over last year, but after the Market Management Committee noted some shortcomings, we are completing sporadic work this year,” Sharma said. An additional budget of Rs 900,000 has been allocated in the current fiscal year for this purpose.

Sharma explained that delays were caused by COVID-19, delayed provincial budget allocations, and contractor issues, but the Directorate is committed to operationalizing the facility this year.

Dilliraj Joshi, Chairman of the Agricultural Market Management Committee, emphasized the importance of the cold storage, stating that its timely operation would have helped prevent the circulation of pesticide-laden agricultural products. “Many farmers have been forced to halt the sale of their produce due to the lack of storage. The levels of organophosphates and carbonates in these products range from 35 to 45 percent, making them inedible. Without the facility, we cannot legally sell or safely dispose of these products, leaving farmers in distress,” he said.

Joshi added that the facility’s operation is crucial to address the ongoing challenges faced by farmers and called for its immediate utilization.