Bhojpur. Farmers of Pauwadungma Rural Municipality-1, Shyamshila Chape have been attracted to commercial vegetable farming after the expansion of irrigation facility. The construction of the pond has provided irrigation facility to 21 households at the same time, which has attracted farmers towards commercial vegetable farming.

Bharat Bahadur Karki, a local farmer, said he has started commercial vegetable farming in around three ropanis of land with the expansion of irrigation facility. He said that cabbage, cauliflower, peas, garlic, radish, coriander, potato, mustard among other cash crops have been produced.

“Farming has become easier after the expansion of irrigation facility in the settlement”, said Karki, adding, “In the past, there was problem due to lack of water”. Now, after the construction of the pond, we have become active in vegetable farming. ”

According to Karki, the technical services and various grant programs run by the rural municipality have further encouraged commercial vegetable farming. The irrigation problem faced by the farmers for many years has been resolved after the construction of irrigation ponds and distribution of water. Currently, water is being distributed through three big irrigation ponds in the locality.

Rajendra Rai, ward chair of Shyamshila of Pauwadungma-1, said that the irrigation facility has been expanded by constructing three ponds with the allocation of Rs 3 million received from the state government. “The farmers were facing problems due to lack of irrigation in this area”, he said, adding, “The situation has now been created for the farmers to cultivate vegetables and other agricultural products.” ”

Jyotsna Rai, vice-chairperson of the rural municipality, said that with the expansion of irrigation facility, local farmers have started to engage in commercial cash crops. According to him, an environment has been created where farmers can earn income through agriculture after the expansion of irrigation. According to him, it has been easier to sell vegetables produced here as there is good access to road network.

Rural municipality chair Kiran Rai said works were underway to expand irrigation facilities in the agricultural areas of the rural municipality. According to him, necessary grants and promotional programmes have been launched to encourage farmers to become entrepreneurs.

According to Rai, the construction of irrigation ponds has been forwarded along with the ‘one house, one tunnel’ programme with the goal of making the farmers self-reliant in agricultural products. The rural municipality has also brought into operation the agriculture ambulance service for easy marketing of the agro products by emphasizing on organic farming as per the geography and soil.