By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Dec. 9: The Embassy of Israel together with Avsar Foundation hosted the 2nd annual Krishi Tara Award today, after a hiatus of two years.

Mahindra Raya Yadav, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, graced the event as the Chief Guest. The award function was held to honour deserving Nepali farmers/agri-entrepreneurs who have been purposefully contributing in agriculture with technologies, innovations and skills learnt in Israel, upon returning from a yearlong advanced agricultural training under “Learn and Earn Program.”

Ten best agriculture farms were shortlisted from among the total applications received for the award. The winner was selected by the jury of three judges after a tough decision.  

Uddha Prasad Neupane of Dhading was declared the 2nd Krishi Tara winner and awarded with a cheque of Rs. 500,000 along with the winner's certificate. He was in Israel in 2012-2013, according to a press release issued by the embassy on Thursday.

Addressing the event, Hanan Goder, Ambassador of Israel said, “It’s lovely to celebrate Agriculture, Krishi ra Khusi. We see today an amazing collection of good and happy farmers. Nepal can become a net exporter of food and Israel is willing to share our experiences in this field.”

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mahindra Raya Yadav,  said “I really appreciate and would like to thank the State of Israel for the contribution in the field of agriculture by taking our Nepali farmers to Israel and providing them with skills, modern technologies so that they can become self-reliant. We have to further promote the Israeli agri-technology in Nepal. If it happens, it would have greater impact on Nepali agriculture. This program actually motivates and boosts the morale of young farmers.”

Sharing the experience, the winning farmer Uddha Prasad Neupane said, “After returning from Israel, I realized that agriculture is a profession and have to be done by young and educated people. I have started with 16 ropanis of land and now, I have extended it to 70 ropanis of land. Upon receiving the award, I felt that more responsibilities and challenges have been bestowed upon me . I will be utilizing this money in the field of agriculture and start a nursery.”

Nepali folk fusion band Kutumba's special performance after the event added stars to the program.

The 1st Krishi Tara Awards was held in 2019. More than three thousand students from marginalized farmer families have been trained in Israel in modern agriculture since 2012. After returning to Nepal, these students have been involved in high-tech agriculture using, among others, green house and drip irrigation.