Kathmandu, November 8 The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD) is waiting for the necessary budget to be released to launch ‘Agriculture for Youth’ project. MoALD submitted the draft of the project to the Ministry of Finance for budget issuance two weeks ago. Under this project, the government will provide 50 per cent of investment cost to youths who are willing to start agricultural businesses and also to those who are already involved in agriculture businesses commercially. Aiming to attract youths in the agricultural sector, MoALD had designed the project this fiscal year. As per the project, MoALD will provide a grant amount of up to Rs two million to youths under the guidelines of the Framework of Agriculture Business Promotional Grant 2018. The project will be implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Department of Livestock Development. The government has allocated Rs 500 million for the ‘Agriculture for Youth’ project for this fiscal. The five-year programme is expected to benefit 500 youths in the country. As per MoALD, the project will be implemented in Sunsari, Jhapa, Bhojpur, Taplejung, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Bara, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Chitwan and Kathmandu Valley. Likewise, the programme will be implemented in Baglung, Parbat, Gorkha, Nawalparasi, Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Rolpa, Pyuthan, Kapilvastu, Rukum, Salyan, Kanchanpur and Kailali. Applicants for this project have to be in age group of 18 to 45 years. Interested people can apply from their respective local government’s offices. The project will include agriculture businesses related to fish, livestock farming, dairy, fruits and vegetables, along with agriculture processing centres. The youths will be provided training based on their interest and sent to related agricultural farms, zones and superzones for practical knowledge. Under the programme, MoALD will provide agriculture education, training and a platform for the youths to start their agriculture business. After completion of the project, participants will have to continue the business for another three years. If participants fail to do so, they will have to pay back grant amount provided by the government. However, participants will not have to return the investment amount in case their businesses are destroyed due to any natural disaster and they are unable to continue with their businesses.