Programs for Agriculture and Irrigation Sector ( F.Y. 2013/14 )

Government of Nepal has announced budget for fiscal year 2013/14. This year total budget to Ministry of Agricultural Development has almost doubled reaching 21 Arb ( 2100 million NRs ). Some new programs are incorporated whereas most of the programs are continued from earlier years. Here under is budget speech for Agriculture and Irrigation Sector from Honorable Finance Minister Mr Shankar Prasad koirala, as such in his words.

Transformation of Agriculture

79. Marketing, modernization and commercialization of agriculture will be

emphasized in order to increase the production and productivity of this sector.

A 20 year Agricultural Development Strategy and a 10 year food and nutrition

plan will be implemented from the next fiscal year.

80. I  have appropriated Rs. 6.07 billion to provide subsidy for chemical and

organic fertilizer and also for improved seed, technology and mechanization

of agriculture. I have made a provision of 50 percent capital  subsidy  to 13

establish the organic fertilizer factory. I have made arrangement of funds for

the feasibility study of chemical fertilizer factory.

81. I have given continuation to the provision of transport subsidy in seed and

fertilizer to 26 remote food-deficit districts. I believe this provision will

enable the farmers to get fertilizer, seed and technology in time.

82. I  have allocated funds to build the agriculture infrastructure like irrigation,

agriculture roads, energy, processing centre, cold storage, etc., in order to

attract commercial investment in agriculture.

83. I have made provision of Rs. 1.75 billion for agriculture research programme

for coming fiscal year. The agriculture research is expected to directly

contribute to improve agriculture technology, mitigate the adverse effect of

climate change and the use of the local production potentiality.

84. The cattle-shed improvement programme will be expanded to 40 districts with

a view to increase soil fertility through the production and use of the compost

fertilizer.

85. I have expanded the maize production campaign to 16 districts that was being

implemented in the Terai-Madhesh. "Comprehensive Maize Production

Programme" will be commenced in mid-hill districts from next fiscal year.

Under this programme, I have made arrangement to provide 3 hundred power

tillers in 50 percent cost subsidy to the farmer groups and agriculture

cooperatives. I have allocated the necessary budget for this programme.

86. For safe storage of onion, I have made provision of 50 percent capital subsidy

to the private and cooperatives for constructing the ventilated cold storages in

Pathalaiya, Butwal and Nepalgunj.

87. Orange Garden Strengthening Campaign will be implemented in 8 districts of

Western Development Region for the increment of production and

productivity of  orange. Targeted programmes will be implemented for self

reliance in apple, pommegranate, lemon and banana production. I have made

provision of cash subsidy of one hundred to each apple plant per annum for

those farmers who plant and grow apple for 3 years in the districts namely 14

Kalikot, Mugu, Jumla, Dolpa, Manang and Mustang where 'Apple Self

reliance' programme is implemented.

88. I have made provision of budget to cure the disease appeared in cardamom

farming and substitute the garden in Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Terhathum,

Sankhuwasabha and Dhankuta districts to suport the farmers.

89. 'Vegetable Production Pocket Programme' implemented in Terhathum,

Sankhuwasabha, Kavrepalanchowk, Dhankuta, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk,

Magdi, Gorkha, Lamjung, Surkhet, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, Dailekh, and Salyan

districts will be expanded.

90. Farmers producing honey will be provided training related to bees, beehives

and beekeeping. I have provisioned the budget for processing, marketing and

production of  CHIURI-honey recognised as the  traditional occupation of

Chepang community.

91. In order to fulfill the commitment of eradication of foot and mouth disease

from SAARC region by 2020, vaccination programme against foot and mouth

disease prevailing in cattles will be expanded.

92. A resource centre will be established and strengthened in order to increase the

commercial production of cows, buffalos, sheep, goats, and pigs. Initiation

will be taken to establish the hybrid cow breeding center in five development

regions in collaboration with the Public, cooperatives and private sectors.

National hybrid cattle campaign will be expanded in 40 districts. Liquid

Nitrogen plant will be established for artificial fertilization in Public

Cooperatives-Private Partnership modality.

93. Forage  Mission Program will be implemented in 25 districts in order to

produce non food based forage. Under this programme, winter, rainy and

multiyear grass will be produced in 7 thousands and 6 hundreds hectors of

land.

94. I have expanded "One Village One Product" program to 32 districts from

existing 21 districts. Similarly, "One District One Product" program, which is

being implemented in partnership of the Government and the private sector,

will be expanded to 15 districts in next FY.

95. Small and cooperative irrigation program will be implemented in all 75

districts. From this, additional 7,842 hectare land will be irrigated. In Mid

hills, 300 plastic ponds will be constructed and vegetable farming program

will be launched through drip irrigation.

96. Subsidy will be made available for fish farmers to construct 3000 fish ponds

in 470 hectares of land in Terai and mid hills. Under this, 180 million fish

fries will be produced and distributed.

97. To attract youth in agriculture commercialization, youth targeted program

including the provision of training, technology and seed money, will be

conducted.

98. Additional 100 agriculture collection centers and wholesale markets will be

established in assigned places for the systematic sales and distribution of

fruits, vegetables and livestock in partnership with cooperatives and

community organizations in the next FY.

99. "Extraordinary Farmers Presidential Award" will be established to give

incentive for extraordinary farmers.

100. To  provide  relief to farmers from the loss due to Bird Flu disease, I have

allocated Rs.50 million to establish Compensation Fund in partnership with

the government and the poultry farmers.

101. Agriculture and Food Security Program will be launched in 19 districts of mid

and far western development regions and Improved Seed Program in Rukum,

Rolpa, Salyan, Pyuthan, Arghakhachi and Gulmi districts for enhancing food

security in those areas.

102. I have allocated Rs. 1.45 billion for Commercialization of Agriculture and

Trade Project. To help in agriculture production, processing and marketing,

subsidy support, based on demand, will be made available for 500 projects.

103. To ensure the rights of consumers to have fresh and nutritious food products,

regular supervision and monitoring activities will be made effective to inspect

food industries, hotels, restaurants and markets.

Irrigation Sector Expansion and Improvement

104. A balanced large, medium and small irrigation programs, will be carried out

for speedy irrigation facility in those agriculture potential lands where

irrigation facility is not available.

105. I have allocated Rs. 200 million for the construction of canals and structures

under the Mahakali Irrigation Project III Phase.

106. I have allocated Rs. 50 million for irrigation sector development of Karnali

Region.

107. For equitable irrigation development, the focus will be  given to the

implementation of small and medium irrigation projects. I have allocated Rs.

880 million in next FY to complete the additional 35 medium projects.

108. Ground water based shallow and deep tube-wells will be constructed and

expanded in those areas of Terai Madhes, dry valleys and Tars where surface

irrigation facility does not exist in arable lands.

109. I have allocated Rs. 500 million for shallow and deep tube wells program. In

next FY, 12 thousands shallow tube wells and 26 deep tube wells system will

be constructed and about 30 thousands additional hectares of land will get

irrigation facility.

110. I have allocated Rs. 440 million for activities such as canal improvement,

operation, land acquisition of Bagmati Irrigation Project.

111. I have allocated Rs. 1.36 billion for Irrigation and Water Resources

Management project. Under this, irrigation management system of 23,100

hectares of land of Kankai, Sunsari-Morang, Narayani and Mahakali Irrigation

projects will be transferred to the Communities. Rest 28 irrigation projects

will completed in next FY.

112. I have allocated Rs. 460 million for rehabilitation of large irrigation projects

and regular maintenance of already constructed projects. I have given

continuity for rehabilitation work of Koshi Pump Canals, Chandra Canals,

Kamala, Narayani and Narayani Lift Irrgiation Projects.

113. I have allocated Rs. 1.77 billion for the river training, landslide management

and watershed conservation projects. By this, construction of 46 Kilometer

embankment of 14  rivers will be completed under people's embankment

program. Works will be continued for river training, landslide management,

watershed conservation of Mugling-Narayanghat and Sindhuli- Bardibas road

corridor and Tar settlement Protection works.

114. I have allocated sufficient budget for reconstruction works in various parts of

the country including Darchula district which are affected by river  erosion,

flooding and landslides.