Pokhara Metropolis Honors Two Farmers for Contributions to Agriculture

Kaski.  Pokhara Metropolitan City has honored two farmers today with the 'Metropolitan Outstanding Farmer Award' for their significant contributions to the modernization, commercialization, and production enhancement of the agricultural sector.

Metropolitan Mayor Dhanraj Acharya presented each of them, Gyan Bahadur Karki, operator of Krishi Hill Agricultural and Livestock Farm located in Krishi, Pokhara-21, and Kamala Poudel Khadka, operator of Hebron Livestock Farm in Pokhara-27, with a cash prize of Rs 20,000 and a certificate of appreciation.

Honored farmer Karki has been cultivating maize, watermelon, various vegetables, and raising livestock on 65 ropanis of land. He has shown new possibilities in commercial agriculture by producing off-season watermelons on 24 ropanis of land. After returning from foreign employment, Karki started an agricultural business and is now recognized as an exemplary commercial farmer in Kaski.

Similarly, the Hebron Livestock Farm operated by honored farmer Khadka has been developed as a model dairy production center based on modern and scientific technology. The farm, operated with the objective of making traditional livestock farming commercial and competitive, contributes to local milk production, supply, and employment generation by adopting biosecurity and sustainable agricultural practices.

The farm, spread over approximately 32 ropanis of land, has constructed improved fodder cultivation, modern sheds, milking parlors, feed storage, manure and organic waste management structures, and an administrative building.

At the honoring ceremony, Metropolitan Mayor Acharya stated that increasing farmers' income and building a self-reliant agricultural system through the modernization and commercialization of agriculture are priorities for the metropolis. "Honoring farmers will further enhance enthusiasm and attraction towards the farming profession," said Acharya.

Manahar Kadariya, chief of the Metropolitan City's Economic Development Division, said that the objective of honoring outstanding farmers is to inspire other farmers to adopt commercial agriculture.

He added that the metropolis has been continuously supporting farmers through grants in partnership, agricultural equipment, and various technical assistance.