All nine local levels of Kanchanpur designated as agricultural pocket areas

Kanchanpur: All nine local levels of Kanchanpur have been declared agricultural pocket areas under a special crop and livestock program launched by the Sudurpaschim Province government for the current fiscal year.

The program designates specific production pockets based on geographical suitability. Information Officer Dharma Saun of the Agricultural Knowledge Center Mahendranagar stated that each local level in Kanchanpur has been allocated a budget of Rs 4 million under this initiative. Bhimdutta Municipality has been identified as a banana pocket area.

Similarly, potato pocket areas have been designated in Bedkot Municipality, Shuklaphanta Municipality, Purnabas Municipality and Dodhara Chandani Municipality. Krishnapur Municipality has been selected as a vegetable pocket area, Laljhandi Rural Municipality as a Dalan pocket area, Belauri Municipality as a Tori pocket area and Beldandi Rural Municipality as a potato pocket area.

“Under this three-year program, each municipality has received Rs 4 million according to its designated pocket area,” Saun said. “The program aims to promote farmers professionally.” He noted that cold storage facilities have also been arranged for farmers in potato pocket areas, with two such facilities currently operating in Punarbas. Cold stores are also in operation in Bedkot Municipality, Dodhara Chandani Municipality and Beldandi Rural Municipality.

The Veterinary Hospital and Animal Service Expert Center, Kanchanpur, has also designated pocket areas under a special livestock production program for the current fiscal year. According to Senior Animal Development Officer Shyam Singh Khadka, seven municipalities have been identified as buffalo farming pocket areas, while two municipalities have been designated as goat farming pockets.

Krishnapur, Shuklaphanta, Beldandi, Dodhara Chandni, Bhimdatta, Bedkot and Punarbas municipalities have been declared buffalo farming pocket areas. Goat farming pocket areas have been designated in Laljhandi Rural Municipality and Belauri Municipality.

“Rehabilitation and Bhimdutta Municipality have received budgets of Rs 60 lakh and Rs 50 lakh respectively,” Khadka said, adding that other municipalities have been allocated Rs 40 lakh each. The program aims to promote commercial agriculture by identifying potential areas for livestock production and supporting them as special production zones.