KHOTANG: Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality of Khotang district has launched a distribution of hybrid buffaloes to the farmers in a bid to promote employment.

The campaign is begun not only to make farmers self-employed but also to ensue local level’s self sufficiency in buffalo meat. The buffalo bulls worth Rs 6.2 million are being distributed in this fiscal year.

Deputy mayor of the municipality, Bishan Rai, informed that the buffalo bulls were bought from Tarai to distribute to the farmers via their groups. They bulls are of improved species.

“We’re planning to distribute 400 buffalo bulls this year. The farmers will get the bulls in 75 percent subsidized rate under the agriculture programme of the local level,” he said, adding that 200 bulls have been distributed so far.

There are 15 wards in the municipality. The local levels which received the livestock so far are wards- 3, 4, 5, 7 and 15. The bulls worth Rs 1.2 million were provided to the farmers from ward no 5.

Agriculture section chief at the municipality, Tej Prakash Jaishi, informed that the farmers need to bear 25 percent of the total price for the buffalo bull. The farmers’ groups deposit the money and transport buffalos to the concerned sheds.

It was informed that agriculture is the first priority in the municipality, so distribution of buffalo bulls would help promote employment to the youths.

Rearing buffalo also helps make compost, which is used for crops and vegetables. For the commercialization of agriculture, the farmers are provided grants to cultivate fruit, coffee and vegetables.