Ilam, March 11: Rong rural municipality of Ilam district has provided orientation to 121 leading farmers. The farmers selected as ‘guru kisan’ (leading farmers) from among 4,500 farmers got the first phase of training so that they would devote to increasing productivity.
Rural municipality Chairman Mani Kumar Syangbo informed that the orientation was provided to the leading farmers in order to foster competitiveness among them in cultivation and production.
They were training on their roles and responsibilities for better farming. The number would be gradually increased because more farmers need additional skills and knowledge on agriculture, Rai added.
The scheme envisioned last year would be formalized with the announcement of ‘guru kisan’ on March 20. It is first of its kind in Nepal, according to him.
One of the farmers attending the orientation, Man Bahadur Rai from Badare of Rong-1, informed that he produced 15 maan of black cardamom in 12 ropanies of land. “Once irrigation and fertilizer are applied properly, it would give much yields even in a small area,” he said, adding that he had aimed at increasing the produce next year.
Earlier, it was difficult for most of the farmers here to produce 10 maan of cardamom in as large as 30 ropanies of land.
Vice Chairman of the rural municipality, Bishnu Maya Bhujel, informed that the orientation would not only make farmers competitive but also ensure self-sufficiency of cash crops in village.
