Pokhara Metropolitan City distributing paddy seeds to farmers

Gandaki, May 6 : Pokhara Metropolitan City (KMC) has decided to distribute 7,500 kilograms of paddy seeds to farmers this year.

For the distribution, PMC collected details on farmers' demands. The seeds will be provided at 50 percent discount, according to Manahar Kadariya, Chief of the agriculture section at PMC. As much as 21,000 kilograms of paddy seeds was demanded by over 1,000 farmers at PMC, he said, expressing worry that the local government was not able to meet the demand.

A local variety of paddy, Pokhareli Jetho Budho, is in high demand. PMC has however only 2,000 kg of paddy seeds (Ram Dhan species) and remaining Jetho Budho.

PMC purchased the seeds from local farmers at Rs 200 per kg and is providing them at Rs 100 - with a 50 percent subsidy. The farmers were encouraged to produce paddy seeds, Kadariya said, adding that those from Wards No. 13, 23, 26, 29, 30 and others within PMC were producing the essential.

The seeds prepared with utmost care and by maintaining organic quality is expected to foster a campaign to protect local rice varieties like Anadi and Pahenle.(RSS)