Palpa farmers to benefit from cold storage building being constructed with grant assistance from India

India has extended a grant assistance of NRs 44.44 million for the construction of a Cold Storage Building in Palpa district.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Thursday between the Embassy of India, Kathmandu and Tansen Municipality, Palpa for providing Indian grant assistance for the construction of a Cold Storage Building and supply of machinery and equipment under the Nepal-India Economic Cooperation Programme.

This is the fifth development project in the Palpa District being undertaken with the Indian assistance under the Small Development Projects.

Due to lack of proper storage facility, the farmers of the District, who are mainly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood, suffer from the problem of proper handling and storage of their perishable produce, said a statement issued by the Kathmandu-based Indian embassy.

“As a result, either they have to suffer avoidable financial losses or they are not able to sell their produce at reasonable prices in the market. The proposed cold storage building with a capacity of 200 MT, being constructed with Indian financial assistance, will enable the farmers and small entrepreneurs of the District to get better prices for their produce, which, in turn would enhance their income levels and bring about a significant improvement in the standard of living of their families,” the statement added.

In addition to this project, two projects in Palpa District have already been completed with Indian assistance of NRs. 25.3 million. Further, work is ongoing for another two projects at a cost of NRs. 52.8 million. India has also gifted six ambulances and one school bus in Palpa District. nepalnews.com