BANKE: Duduwa Rural Municipality in Banke has started distributing rice seeds to farmers at a subsidized rate.
This year marks the municipality’s first initiative to produce and distribute seeds prepared in-house.
According to Sushil Kumar Sharma, head of the agriculture department of the municipality, the seeds—both original and improved varieties—were distributed to 14 groups and cooperatives at a 50 percent subsidy.
A total of 120 quintals of improved rice seeds and 80 quintals of original seeds have been distributed through these groups.
Sharma explained that the original seeds planted by farmers will be monitored and tested by technicians. Based on quality and yield, the municipality will purchase and store the next batch of original seeds for future use.
Although Duduwa has around 2,580 hectares of land suitable for rice farming, the distributed seeds will cover only about 1,400 hectares this year.
Municipality Chair Narendra Kumar Chaudhary said that Duduwa is gradually moving toward seed self-sufficiency and will now focus on seed production.
After preparing rice seeds for the first time, the municipality also plans to produce and process wheat seeds.
Sharma noted that the target is to purchase around 200 quintals of wheat seeds initially, which will be increased based on farmer demand. Lab testing of wheat crops is already underway.
As the municipality is directly distributing seeds to farmers, it helps boost agricultural productivity and eliminates the need for farmers to travel elsewhere in search of seeds.
With around 90 percent of the population dependent on agriculture, the municipality has introduced a seed production and distribution program aimed at making farming easier and more efficient. A modern seed processing plant has already been installed and is operational under the strategy to make Duduwa self-reliant in seeds.
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