Kathmandu: The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) is preparing to provide 50% of investment cost to youths who are willing to start agricultural businesses. MoALD is waiting for the budget to be released to start the ‘Agriculture for Youth’ project. The project will be implemented as soon as the procedures for the project are completed.
Two weeks ago, the draft of the project was submitted to the Ministry of Finance for budget issuance. As, per project, MoALD will provide a grant amount of up to Rs. 2 million to youths under the guidelines of the Framework of Agriculture Business Promotional Grant 2018. The government is likely to implement the ‘Agriculture for Youth’ project. The project will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Livestock Development.
Rs. 500 million are allocated for this fiscal year. The programs will start in 25 districts across seven provinces of the country to attract the youth to the agricultural sector. The program designed to benefit 500 youths will be implemented in the current fiscal year. The project will be implemented in Sunsari, Jhapa, Bhojpur, Taplejung, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Bara, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Chitwan and Kathmandu Valley. Likewise, the program will be implemented in Baglung, Parbat, Gorkha, Nawalparasi, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Kapilvastu, Rukum, Salyan, Kanchanpur and Kailali.
An interested Nepali citizen between the age of 18-45 years can apply for this project from their respective local government’s offices.
The project will contain agriculture businesses related to fish, livestock farming, dairy, fruits, and vegetables, along with agriculture processing centers. The youths will be provided training based on their interests and sent to related agricultural farms, zones, and super zones for practical knowledge. Under the program, the ministry will provide agriculture education, training and a platform for the youths to start their agriculture business.
The participants should continue the project for another three years after completion of the project. If participants see project discontinuation, the government will recover the grant amount. However, the rule will not be implied if the businesses are damaged by natural disasters.
Source: THT
