LALITPUR: A new “Chongqing–Nepal Vegetable Training Center” has been launched in Khokana aimed at modernizing Nepal’s agriculture through scientific methods and advanced technology.

The foundation stone of the center was jointly laid on Sunday by Bagmati Province Agriculture Minister Madhusudan Paudel, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and the China Foundation for Rural Development.

The project is part of China’s rural development initiative to promote poverty reduction and agricultural modernization in Nepal, particularly targeting Khokana and South Lalitpur areas.

The training center will provide farmers—especially women and youth—with skills in greenhouse farming, integrated pest management (IPM), climate-smart agriculture, and post-harvest processing.

A 2026 technical training program on modern vegetable production was also launched alongside the project.

Officials said the initiative will transform traditional farming in Khokana into a model of commercial and modern agriculture. Local leaders, including Lalitpur Metropolitan City Mayor Chiribabu Maharjan, welcomed the project, calling it important for rural transformation.

The program is supported under China’s broader cooperation framework involving Nepal and focuses on building “vibrant villages” through technology transfer and training.

Experts from China will also provide technical supervision, and similar agricultural projects have already been implemented in other parts of Nepal.

The initiative is expected to benefit over 60 farming households directly and expand export-oriented vegetable production from local markets to international destinations.