Harinagar getting prosperity from livestock venture

Harinagar is a rural municipality located in the southern part of Sunsari bordering its district headquarters. This rural municipality has made significant progress in infrastructure development, education, health, agriculture and livestock farming. It has also achieved notable advancements in mechanisation and commercialisation of agriculture. Our Inaruwa correspondent Jaya Krishna Yadav interviewed Harinagar Rural Municipality Chairman Haji Gafar Ansari Miya about the progress and challenges in the region. Excerpts: 

You are now in the third year of your second term. What have you accomplished so far?

With the trust and support of the people, I have had the opportunity to serve in local governance since the historic promulgation of Nepal’s constitution-2015. I won the elections in 2017 and again in 2022, primarily due to the development work undertaken in my first term. 

Over the past three years, we have blacktopped 52 kilometres of road, built nine ward bridges and constructed five kilometres of drainage-inclusive roads. Previously, residents had to travel for hours to reach the market, but now, with the newly constructed roads, vehicles can cover the distance in minutes. We have also upgraded several roads with gravel and built small culvert bridges.  

In the education sector, we have constructed school buildings, toilets and religious structures such as temple, mosque, madrasa and maktaba. A hospital with doctors, maternity services and 24-hour emergency care has been established and each ward now has a health post with free medication. To improve the quality of education, we have conducted monitoring, improved infrastructure and ensured adequate staffing in schools.  

Compared to other local levels in Sunsari, Harinagar has been doing commendable work. Other municipalities have even been learning from our model. One of our major achievements is connecting remote border areas with the municipality headquarters through a strong transportation network. 

Agriculture and livestock are the primary occupations here, with 90 per cent of residents engaged in these sectors. What initiatives have been taken for farmers?  

We have focused on mechanisation, modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture. Farmers receive subsidies to purchase agricultural equipment and we have established a harvesting centre where tractors, harvesters and other machinery are available at affordable rates.  

Additionally, we provide 50 to 75 per cent subsidies on fertilizers and seeds, promote commercial farming and distribute pesticide sprayers. Farmers also have access to hand tillers, large tractors and harvesters for paddy, wheat, and maize cultivation.  

What are the key pillars of prosperity in this rural municipality?

Harinagar’s prosperity is primarily driven by agriculture and livestock farming. To increase agricultural production, we have emphasised modernization and commercialisation. Through our agricultural division, we collaborate with cooperatives and farmer groups to boost production of paddy, maize, wheat and especially vegetables. As a result, more farmers are getting engaged in food crop and vegetable farming.  

For livestock farmers, we have conducted vaccination and disease prevention campaigns, ensuring their animals remain healthy and productive.  

What is the state of the municipality’s internal economic resources? What steps have been taken to increase revenue?

Our internal revenue comes mainly from service fees collected by wards, property taxes, integrated property taxes, business and trade taxes, renewal fees, rental taxes, market taxes and recommendation fees for various services.  

To boost revenue, we have built our own supermarket and rental shops, which are expected to generate an annual income of Rs. 1 to 1.5 million.  

What efforts have been made in the education sector?

Until recently, the southern part of this municipality lacked access to higher education. However, we have now established the Harinagar Multiple Campus. We have upgraded several schools, improving both educational and physical infrastructure. This year, we have enhanced five schools by upgrading facilities and constructing new buildings. We constructed a two-room building at Harinagar Secondary School and constructed additional structures in Janata Secondary School, Gautampur and Balkrishna Secondary School.  

To ensure quality education, we have strengthened academic governance, increased teacher regularity and enhanced teaching quality in community schools. 

Harinagar Secondary School has been developed as a model school and two schools have introduced technical education programmes.  

What improvements have been made in the health sector?  

Previously, our health services were inadequate. We had only five health posts, but we added two more and upgraded the primary health centre into a 15-bed hospital with three doctors. The hospital now offers maternity services, 24-hour emergency care, laboratory services and ambulance facilities.

Each ward now has a health post with free medication, ensuring access to essential healthcare for all residents.  

How satisfied are the residents with the development work done so far?

Our infrastructure improvements have greatly benefited farmers and the majority of locals. Previously, poor road conditions forced farmers to sell their produce at lower prices due to transportation hurdles. Now, with better roads, they can take their goods to the market quickly and secure fair prices.  

Many buyers even come directly to the fields to buy produce at competitive rates. This transformation has been possible primarily due to improved road connectivity. 

Despite development efforts, public property protection remains a challenge. How are you addressing this?

That’s a valid concern. While we have made significant progress, proper utilisation and preservation of public infrastructure remain challenging. We are surprised that, despite having quality roads, some locals misuse them by dumping waste, cow dung and even tethering cattle on the streets.  

Road maintenance is not just the responsibility of the local government but that of all citizens, political parties and ward representatives. However, due to a lack of awareness, encroachments are increasing. Garbage dumping, unauthorised fencing, and leaving cattle on roads have become serious issues.  

Your municipality has diverse religious communities. What initiatives have been taken to support them?

Harinagar is home to a majority of Hindu and Muslim communities, with over 51,000 residents from more than 20 ethnic groups. We have actively supported the construction and renovation of religious sites. For instance, the municipality allocated Rs. 8.5 million for the Durga Temple in Bhutaha of Ward No. 1 and also assisted in the renovation of Basukinath Temple.  

Similarly, we have helped build and maintain madrasas and other religious institutions for the Muslim community. To foster social harmony, we regularly organise culture exchange programmes. 

Moreover, we support religious pilgrims by providing financial assistance to Hindu devotees visiting pilgrimage sites and helping Muslim residents traveling for Hajj.  

What are the biggest challenges in Harinagar’s overall development? 

Despite many challenges, significant progress has been accomplished in this rural municipality. However, one of the major challenges is the encroachment of roads, pathways and bridges, which has made the protection of public property worth millions difficult. Although there are community schools, boarding schools and madrasas, some children are still not attending school. Despite these challenges, we continue to work towards sustainable development and long-term prosperity of Harinagar.