Damauli, Tanahun — With the objective of preserving traditional agricultural practices and encouraging farmers to remain engaged in farming, Ward No. 12 of Shuklagandaki Municipality has distributed incentive payments to farmers who raise draft oxen.
A total of 39 farmers received an incentive of NPR 5,000 per pair of oxen. The cash incentives were distributed on Thursday under a program operated through the municipality’s Agricultural Development Branch.
While handing over the funds, Ward Chairperson Indra Gurung stated that the local government has been implementing various initiatives aimed at making the agricultural sector self-reliant and production-oriented.
He emphasized that, alongside the adoption of modern technology, preserving traditional farming practices remains equally important. As the use of draft oxen in agriculture has been steadily declining in rural communities, he expressed confidence that such incentive programs would encourage farmers to continue maintaining them.
“Our traditional agricultural system, inherited from our ancestors, and the foundation of local production rely significantly on draft oxen,” he said. “The municipality has launched this program to recognize and honor the hard work and contributions of farmers. More farmer-focused support and incentive programs will be introduced in the future.”
He further noted that the municipality has prioritized programs related to seed distribution, agricultural training, technology transfer, and the development of agricultural infrastructure to promote commercial and productive farming.
Chief of the Agricultural Development Branch, Dipakumar Upadhyay, said the incentives were provided to preserve traditional farming systems, promote the rearing of indigenous livestock breeds, and motivate farmers to remain actively engaged in agriculture.
According to him, the number of farmers raising draft oxen has declined in recent years due to increasing agricultural mechanization. However, draft oxen continue to serve as an important foundation of farming in many hilly and rural areas.
“Traditional agriculture is closely linked to our agricultural culture,” he said. “Preserving draft oxen also means preserving agricultural heritage, organic production, and the rural way of life. Therefore, the municipality has implemented this program to encourage farmers.”
Farmers who received the incentives expressed their appreciation for the local government’s farmer-friendly initiatives and its commitment to prioritizing the agricultural sector.
