BHOJPUR: Farmers in Arun Rural Municipality in Bhojpur have been relieved from the long-standing dependency on rainwater for irrigation, as four out of eight planned irrigation canals have been completed and are now operational.
According to Jitman Jimi, Chief Administrative Officer of Arun Rural Municipality, the irrigation canals are being constructed under a small irrigation program, with contributions from the local, provincial, and federal governments, the Swiss government, and local communities.
“The project is being implemented with a funding partnership consisting of 30% from the Swiss government, 20% from the three levels of government in Nepal, and 10% from locals in the form of labor,” said Jimi.
“Our goal is to promote agriculture through reliable irrigation. With a proper irrigation system in place, farmers will be able to cultivate vegetables and fruits in addition to staple crops like rice and maize.”
Jimi added that the rural municipality has allocated Rs. 7.1 million as its 20% cost share for the overall irrigation projects. Once concrete canals are fully constructed, farmers will no longer face issues related to water leakage.
Ward Chairman Kumar Thapa reported that farmers have experienced significant relief following the completion and operation of the Hangrayo Khola–Bahrasinge Irrigation Project in Ward No. 7.
This project has directly benefited residents in previously dry areas, where the ward is also constructing water storage ponds to further support irrigation.
Senior Technician Sushmita Lapcha stated that the Hangrayo Khola–Bahrasinge Irrigation Project was completed at a cost of Rs. 2.67 million, with financial and labor contributions from the Swiss government, all three levels of government, and local communities. The project is expected to provide irrigation to approximately 100 ropani of farmland.
In addition to this, the construction of several culvert-based irrigation projects has been completed this year: the Mamalung Upper Culvert in Ward No. 4 at a cost of Rs. 2.785 million, the Kutang Culvert in Ward No. 6 at Rs. 1.45 million, and the Jyamire Culvert in Ward No. 2 at Rs. 9.11 million.
Chairman of Arun Rural Municipality, Shaliram Khatri, noted that although the region has abundant arable land, irrigation development had been prioritized in drought-affected areas due to water scarcity.
He further added that alongside the expansion of irrigation infrastructure, the rural municipality is also running an incentive program to encourage farmers to transition to commercial farming.
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