• After harvesting paddy, farmers are preparing to plant potatoes and wheat

Dhading, January 9

A repaired irrigation canal in Gajuri Rural Municipality-7, Dhading, has elated local farmers as the irrigation facility will now enable them to plant crops three times a year.

Farmers of Gajuri, who used to plant paddy once a year earlier, are preparing to plant potatoes and wheat after they finish harvesting paddy. Farmers said water supply via the canal would help them plant seasonal crops and that would raise their income.

The irrigation canal from Daringal khola to the villages was jointly repaired, re-constructed and brought into operation by villagers in collaboration with non-governmental organisations Prayash Nepal and Oxfam. After repeated pleas to repair the irrigation facility had fallen on the deaf ears of the District Irrigation Office, Dhading, the villages received assistance from the NGO and Oxfam.

A farmer said the canal could irrigate around 1,000 ropani land at Kiranchowk.

Gajuri Rural Municipality-7 ward chair Keshav Adhikari said the renewed irrigation facility would help increase farmers’ income and improve their economic status.

Local farmer Narayan Khadka said the repaired irrigation facility would help to grow crops three times a year and improve the economic condition of locals.

The NGO bore 80 per cent of the cost while the villagers contributed 20 per cent labour to the project. The NGO gave Rs 2.6 million.