Animal watching subsidy program of the municipality for the development of agriculture and animal husbandry sector
The barn of Krishna Bahadur Mahat of Isma Rural Municipality-5 is full of cows. Milk is his main source of income as he uses manure in his own crops. On top of that, the municipality started giving monthly subsidy of 10,000 rupees on the basis of cow rearing.
'I started raising cows with the idea of doing something in the village,' he said, 'I feel that the fruits of my labor have come after the municipality gave me free medicine along with subsidies.' His new model agriculture and livestock farm, which has been operating for three years, currently has 14 cows. They deliver 45 liters of milk to the market from five dairy cows.
Kamal Parajuli, another farmer of Isma Rural Municipality-6, has reared cows in an integrated livestock and agricultural farm. His farm currently has 5 Maui cows. He says that he became more attracted to cattle rearing after the municipality gave him a monthly subsidy of 10,000.
"For me, this pension is the same," he said, "even though I am a professional cattle breeder, it has given me a big relief." He started raising cows from the previous year. Tamlal Kunwar of Isma Rural Municipality-1 has raised buffaloes by running Gaurav Agriculture and Livestock Farm.
After the municipality gave assistance, he said that he felt that he was a local government even if it was to some extent. "The municipality has given us financial support for Heraluba," he said. They have been delivering 30 to 35 liters of milk to the market daily. Geeta Kunwar, who is helping him, said that she is happy that the municipality has encouraged her.
Five farms of the municipality have benefited from the 10,000 rupees per month provided by the municipality under the Pashu Heralu subsidy. Ghimire Agriculture and Livestock Farm Ammarpur, New Model Agriculture and Livestock Farm Rajasthal, Gagan-Grishma Agriculture and Livestock Farm Hastichor, Integrated Agriculture and Livestock Farm Ammarpur and Gaurav Agriculture and Livestock Farm Hastichour are included in the Heralu grant.
Isma rural municipality had been carrying out this program since last year. According to the criteria of the program, five cows or buffaloes should be bred. Animal technicians of the ward have been monitoring this. Every year in July, after listing the farms and making a contract, the municipality pays the farmers the amount for 11 months from August to June. Last year, five farms have received payment of 5 lakh 50 thousand rupees for 11 months.
Chairman of rural municipality Bhagatsingh Khadka said that the animal watching subsidy program has been introduced for the long-term development of the agriculture and animal husbandry sector. "Thanks to the grant, the interest in animal husbandry has started to increase," he said.
