BHOJPUR: Various grants-based initiatives launched Under the National Agricultural Modernisation Programme (NAMP) have played a significant role in encouraging farmers to adopt commercial farming practices in Bhojpur district.

Subsidies and technical assistance provided for the expansion of orange, cardamom and vegetable cultivation have motivated farmers to purse more sustainable agricultural practices.

The Special Crop Zone Technical Unit, Bhojpur under the Programme Implementation Unit Sankhuwasabha, has launched the Cardamom Super Zone programme in the district. It covers 35 wards across seven of Bhojpur district’s nine local levels.

Similarly, ‘Orange Zone’ programme has been expanded to 26 wards across five local levels.

According to Zone Technical Unit, Bhojpur, farmers are ensured both grants and technical assistance under the programme, and in the current fiscal year, 109 farmers have received grants assistance under various schemes.

Agriculture and Livestock Entrepreneurship Development Programme, Sangeeta Shrestha of Bhojpur-5 has taken up commercial vegetable and chilli farming after receiving a grant of Rs 400,000 grants. Four other agricultural firms have also received grants of the same amount under the programme.

Likewise, Hari Prasad Pradhan of Gupteshwor of Bhojpur municipality-3 said the assistance has further encouraged him to engage in agriculture. He has built a cemented irrigation pond and expanded his orange farming to 20 ropani of land (one ropani is equivalent to 5,476 square feet).

A recent inter-agency monitoring was carried out in participation of stakeholders concerned in the district found the implementation of the programme to be effective, said Bhojpur municipality mayor Kailash Kumar Ale.

District Coordination Committee Bhojpur’s Officiating Chief Anisha Khadka said initiatives implemented under the agricultural modernization programme have proved beneficial for the target groups. She added that such programmes have played a significant role in supporting the livelihoods and generating income.

In the current fiscal year, the office provided grant assistance to 54 farmers under the irrigation infrastructure construction and maintenance programme. Moreover, 30 modern cardamom kilns have been provided to the farmers under the improved modern cardamom kiln installation and construction programme.

Likewise, 11 agricultural firms have received grants under the orange crop area expansion programme.

Similarly, orange nursery strengthening, establishment of cardamom nursery resource center, development of model orange gardens, canopy management of cardamom crops, agricultural mechanization and food element support, agricultural crops including indigenous crops processing, labeling and marketing support programme, agricultural and livestock entrepreneurship development and farming programme are being effectively operated.

It is said that millet biscuits are being manufactured in Ramprasadrai-6 under the indigenous crops programme.

The office has stated that the cardamom area has been expanded to 102 ropanis this fiscal year through the Chaklabandi-based (plotting) farming programme with the plantations of 55,000 cardamom seedlings along the area.

The overall impact of all these programmes has contributed noticeably to increasing agricultural production in the district and encouraging farmers to explore opportunities in commercial farming.