Construction Begins on India-Assisted Agriculture Promotion Centre in Bajura

KATHMANDU: The foundation stone for a new Agriculture Promotion Centre for Food Grains Collection and Distribution was laid on Thursday at Muktikot, Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality in Bajura district.

The ceremony was jointly led by Bharat Bahadur Rokaya, Chairperson of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality, and Avinash Kumar Singh, Counsellor at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu. Local political leaders, government officials, social workers, and community members were also present.

The Centre is being built with financial assistance from the Government of India at Rs 31.41 million under the Nepal-India Development Cooperation initiative. The project, categorised as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), will include facilities such as a distribution desk, record room, and storage space to support grain collection and distribution in the mountainous region.

Local leaders welcomed the Indian government’s support, noting the Centre will improve food storage and security in a region where transportation and infrastructure are limited.

Since 2003, India has supported over 573 HICDPs across Nepal, with 43 projects in Sudurpashchim Province, including two in Bajura. India has also provided 1,009 ambulances and 300 school buses across Nepal, with Bajura receiving three ambulances and one school bus.