Banking News – The Department of Water Resources and Irrigation under the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation has introduced a special underground water irrigation program for agricultural entrepreneurship, targeting youth returning from foreign employment. To operate the program brought for agricultural entrepreneurs, the Department has prepared the “Special Underground Water Irrigation Program Plan Selection Guideline for Agricultural Entrepreneurs, 2083.”

Dinesh Rajauriya, Director General of the Department, stated that the guideline was prepared in accordance with the Good Governance (Management and Operation) Act to increase agricultural production and productivity through sustainable use of underground water resources, provide reliable irrigation facilities to agricultural entrepreneurs and farmers, and make plan selection and program implementation transparent, objective, and effective. According to him, individuals, firms, organizations, or groups operating agricultural businesses will be selected and included in the program through the guideline.

Dev Syangbo, Deputy Director General of the Department, stated that youth returning from foreign employment will be given high priority in the program. According to him, priority will also be given to women, indigenous nationalities, Dalits, minorities, and backward areas. The guideline has made provisions to prioritize agricultural cooperative organizations and women’s or mothers’ groups, families affected by natural disasters, youth returning from foreign employment, and organizations registered with local levels, provincial, or federal bodies.

To participate in the program, at least 6 hectares of land must be owned or leased. If land is taken on lease, a provision has been made requiring the submission of an agreement of at least 10 years and a consent letter from the concerned landowner permitting the construction of a tubewell. According to the guideline, priority will be given to vegetables and fruits, spice crops, seed production and nurseries, other cash crops, floriculture, medicinal herbs, fish farming, and grass and livestock feed production.

For the plan, on-site verification of land ownership and suitability will be conducted, and locations with potential for underground water resources will be identified. The guideline has made arrangements for the concerned office to regularly monitor the irrigation area where the plan is operated, agricultural production, and maintenance of structures.