Agricultural produce collection center of Srijanashil cooperative inaugurated in Kailali

Dhangadhi: The Agricultural Produce Collection Center of Srijanashil Mahila Bikas Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Ltd., located in Godavari Municipality-8, Kailali, was formally inaugurated on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Economic Affairs of Sudurpaschim Province, Prakash Bam, inaugurated the center amid a special program chaired by the cooperative’s chairperson, Bhavana Khadka. Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State Bam said that despite limitations, he was able to allocate a budget for the establishment of the center and expressed satisfaction at seeing the structure completed.

He further pledged to take initiatives for completing the remaining infrastructure, including constructing an upper floor and a meeting hall. “I will fulfill at least one of the cooperative members’ demands if possible,” he said. Bam also noted that support could not be extended this year due to the provincial government’s decision not to invest in cooperatives in the current fiscal year, but assured that assistance would be included in the next budget.

Highlighting the role of cooperatives, Bam said they have helped end past exploitative practices and created opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs. He expressed confidence that creative cooperatives like Srijanashil could achieve greater progress with honesty, unity, and dedication from shareholders and office bearers.

Provincial Assembly Member Tulsi Devkota, the special guest at the event, stressed the need to connect cooperatives with technology and production. She said such initiatives would empower women to become self-reliant through entrepreneurship. “This cooperative has taught women entrepreneurship and encouraged them to engage in production and marketing. If women collectively sell agricultural products through it, they can automatically become self-reliant,” she remarked.

According to chairperson Bhavana Khadka, the collection center was built with a budget of Rs. 1.5 million allocated from the Agricultural Knowledge Center, Kailali, through the initiative of Minister of State Bam. She said the new building would resolve longstanding problems faced in collecting agricultural products. “With the minister’s support, we now have a proper facility, and we are thankful for it,” she added. The center will facilitate the collection and storage of agricultural produce from both the cooperative and its members.

Marking the inauguration, the cooperative also organized a cooperative education session along with a Teej special program. Manager Gauri Chaudhary said the program aimed to provide cooperative-related knowledge to women members while also celebrating the upcoming Haritalika Teej festival.