The Honorable Secretary Visited HVAP Area
Published By: HVAP        on: 2015-06-26

11. June. 2015| High Value Agriculture Project (HVAP) which is being implemented under MOAD had organized an interaction program among HVAP grantees and concerned stakeholders in Jumla on 9. June. 2015 where Honourable Secretary, Mr. Uttam Kumar Bhattarai took his participation as a chief guest in this event. The purpose of the Secretary‘s visit was not only to participate on HVAP event; but, also to monitor ongoing HVAP and other projects/programmes interventions in Jumla district. The visit was organized from 8-10 June 2015.  Dr. Youbak Dhoj GC, Director General, Department of Agriculture; Dr. Keshav Prasad Premy, Director General, Department of Livestock Services; Regional Directors of Mid-western region Mr. Achyut Prasad Dhakal (Agriculture) and Mr. Kishore Prasad Kayastha (Livestock Services);    Rajendra Prasad Bhari Project Manager, HVAP; Senior Agri-Economist Mr. Shankar Sapkota and Agriculture Economist Ms. Meena Kandel of MoAD were also participated in the monitoring visit

In fact, Jumla is highly potential for apple, beans, potato, vegetable seeds and chicken as a nutritious food product that can be promoted for the inclusive economic growth as per the experts’ opinion. During the visit, Honourable secretary and the entire team observed carrots seed production area of Kailash Tarkari Krishak Samuha, Talium-2 and apple cellar storage of Kalika Krishi Bahudeshya Sahakari, Pathmara which are being supported by HVAP. Similarly, the team also visited other projects' interventions such as cattle farming (HIMALI project) , youth focused programmes (mushroom and vegetable farming) of District Agriculture Development Office (DADO), fodder and forage production programmes of District Livestock Services Office (DLSO) and potato storage programme (as an out-reach programme) of Nepal Agriculture Research Council  (NARC). Most importantly, Secretary Mr. Bhattarai and the team interacted with leader farmers and other community people to know about the relevancy and effectiveness of these interventions at their community.

Similarly, the Secretary Mr. Bhattarai participated on HVAP organized interaction and reflection programme where various presentations were done by project leaders, private sectors and shared experiences of leader farmers. The workshop was chaired by President of Jumla Chamber of Commerce and Industries where Chief District Officer was also present.  From the intensive discussion, some recommendations and queries were noted such as there is an urgent need of machine for carrot seeds processing, portable grading machine for apple is a must, lengthy administrative system for getting loan for farmers, demand of apple collection center  in Sinja Valley, organic certification for apple in other parts of Jumla need to be promoted , smallholders are still unware about agriculture insurance and to get the better price of apple, cold storage can be a viable means in Jumla. HVAP project manager Mr. Rajendra Prasad Bhari responded on above mentioned queries and concerns 

Dealing with relevant issues, the Honourable secretary Mr. Bhattarai highlighted on some major points. As he said there are lots of visible changes came in light and project made successes are now visible in Jumla. Some good practices such as reduction of post-harvest loss and use of C and D grade apple for the cider can be considered as an effective initiation. In terms of making ease of financial access to the farmers, groups and cooperatives need to be linked with Small Farmer Development Bank (Sana Kisan Bikas Bank) as stated by the Secretary.  In Jumla, use of chemical fertilizer is very low; hence, process of organic certification can be promoted but in specific areas for the specific products so as to cover the organic markets in an international arena. Further, he strongly recommended that organic certification is needed for those products such as apple, beans, potato, marshi rice, etc; which can be exported in foreign country.

The Honourable secretary Mr. Bhatarai and the team also visited Jumla based various government offices i.e.DADO, NARC, Food Processing Center, and DLSO offices.