Rasuwa farmers embrace new technology

Published On: June 25, 2018 05:35 AM NPT By: Him Nath Devkota

RASUWA, June 25: Farmers of Rasuwa are being attracted towards use of modern technology in agriculture.

Modernization of agriculture has not only helped increase production but is also helping break the stereotype that educated people should not get involved in farming.

Farmers of Naukunda Rural Municipality are using equipment for plowing the field and de-cobbing maize, among others. Farm equipment has come as a boon to farmers who were facing hard times arranging laborers for farm works. Use of farm equipment has also helped to increase the number of farmers in the area, said Khilnath Paudel, a farmer from Naukunda Rural Municipality-5.

Another farmer, Pasang Tamang, told Republica that farmers no longer have to go through the hassle of rearing oxen to plough the field, thanks to the availability of tractors. “Earlier, we have to wait for our turn to plough the field as only a few farmers have oxen. Tractor is easy to use and it also saves our time,” he added.

Another farmer, Lawang Nurbu Tamang, said even jobholders have started plowing the field now. “Jobholders were not interested toward plowing the field using oxen. The situation has changed now,” he added.

Local farmers are interested toward tractor as they are efficient and are easier to maintain. Also, one needs fewer workers in the field while using a tractor. Tractor owners charge Rs 600 per hour to plow the field.

HAND TRACTORS DISTRIBUTED TO FARMERS
Naukunda Rural Municipality has distributed hand tractors to farmers of Naukunda Rural Municipality.

According to Agricultural Development Branch of the rural municipality, hand tractors were distributed to farmers to usher in modernization in farming.

“Traditional farming system is inefficient and time-consuming. Hand tractors have been distributed as per our objective of embracing new technology in farming to increase productivity,” an official of the branch said.

According to Shambhu Prasad Rai, chief of the Agricultural Development Branch, the rural municipality has given 75 percent grants to purchase tractors. “Though the cost of the tractor is Rs 80,000, farmers will have to pay only Rs 20,000,” he added.