Bheri municipality towards self-reliance on hybrid seeds

Kakrebihar (Surkhet), June 8:

Bheri municipality of Jajarkot district is in a way to become self-reliant on hybrid seeds of various vegetables and crops after the pilot project resulted in a success. Yagya Bahadur Adhikari, Chief of the Agriculture Department Office in the municipality, shared the municipality had piloted the production of maize of Rampur hybrid 10 species at Arukhet of Bheri municipality-2.

Last year, they successfully conducted pilot cultivation of maize species named Rampur Hybrid 12 in one hectare at Syala of the municipality. Following the success of the pilot project, the municipality started promoting the production and distribution of hybrid seeds.

The local farmers started making good yields thereafter, according to Adhikari. The municipality has been facilitating farmers in training and exposure visits in other places of the country as well, he shared.

The improved seeds are being marketed outside the municipality, he informed, however, sharing that the production of hybrid seeds was not as easy as producing other normal seeds initially. Farmers have planted maize of Deuti and Manakamana-3 species in 20 hectares now.

Similarly, rice of Sabitri species is planted on 10 hectares at ward no 3, it was shared. Wheat, onion, spinach, radish, peas and beans of various species are being commercially produced at ward no 2.

Currently, the municipality is coordinating with the Agricultural Development Office, Jajarkot, and testing the production and plantation of tomatoes of Rampur hybrid 10 and 23 and Srijana variety.