Kathmandu: The Swiss government and the
United States have jointly committed USD 5.63 million
assistance for improvement of maize production in 20 remote
and hilly districts of Nepal.
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)
and the US Agency for International Development (USAID)
announced the official launch of the four-year project aimed
at improving food security and increase income of at least
35,000 rural families, particularly poor and disadvantaged
farmers, in 20 remote hill districts of Nepal, according to a
press release issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu.
The project to be implemented by International Maize
and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT) with the support of
Nepal government is designed to meet at least 30 per cent of
the national maize seed requirement in the hills, support
implementation of national seed act and policies, and develop
new maize varieties and technologies.
The representatives of Government of Switzerland and
US government have separately signed an agreement with the
Government of Nepal (GON) today at the Ministry of Finance to
finalize funding for the project entitled "Hill Maize
Research Project".
SDC has supported the Hill Maize Research Project
since 1999, and its support to phase IV amounts to USD 3.63
million. USAID is co-funding phase IV with a USD 2 million
grant, bringing the total project assistance to USD 5.63
million.
The project will be implemented in districts where
maize is a primary staple crop such as Okhaldhunga, Khotang,
Ramechhap, Dolakha, Sindupalchowk, Kavre, Dhading, Syangja,
Palpa, Baglung, Gulmi, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Dailekh, Kalikot,
Achham, Doti, Dadeldhura, Bajhang and Baitadi.
PTI
First Published: Monday, January 31, 2011, 20:54