KATHMANDU: A budget of Rs 3.41 billion released by the Ministry of Livestock Development (MoLD) for the commercial development of livestock in 744 local levels has not been properly used.

The targets of the public spending have not been reached in the stipulated area due to the budget not being released on time.

The budget was released for the Livestock Development Programme at local level including preparation of integrated trade strategy and operation of different activities related to the poultry and pig-keeping, informed MoLD spokesperson Shyam Prasad Poudel.

The Ministry has adopted a policy to attract farmers to Livestock Feed Service Programme, Livestock Market Promotion Programme and Livestock Service Extension Programme and develop model entrepreneurs in this sector.

The programme does not include nine local levels which were later added to the 744 local levels in the Province 2.