Ray NEWS/Kathmandu/Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park has been launched in Nepal on Tuesday under the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Center.

The Park wasinaugurated by Renu Dahal, Mayor of Chitwan and Chen Song, Ambassador of China to Nepalat the Agriculture and Forestry University in Chitwan in Bagmati Province. Ithas been marked as the beginning of agricultural development cooperation between China and Nepal.

The Park aims to enhance the production of hybrid rice in Nepal and strengthen cooperation in rice cultivation, livestock and fish farming, and greenhouse vegetable production.

Renu Dahal, Mayor of Chitwan, expressed gratitude to the Chinese side for collaborating with the agricultural experts from Chitwan Agriculture and Forestry University to conduct scientific research and experiments to improve rice production and uplift livelihoodsof the farmers in Nepal.

“Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park is a symbol of long-lasting friendship between Nepal and China. The project is a center of knowledge, research and innovation which will be using the advanced agricultural technologies and will play an important role to improve productivity,” Dahal remarked.

She also extended her thanks to the Chongqing Municipal Government and Agricultural Committee for providing technical and financial support, as well as to the China Foundation for Rural Development for the management of the project.

Chen Song, the Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, stated that the park is the latest progress in the agriculture cooperation between China and Nepal and a leap to implement a series of important consensus reached by the leaders of two countries last year.

“Chongqing owns advanced agricultural science and abundant resources. The agricultural cooperation could stimulate greater potential for Bharatpur, which will push forward the common development and shared prosperity for both of our cities and countries,” Song said.

On the occasion, Prof. Dr. ShardhaThapaliya, the Academic Director of Chitwan Agriculture and Forestry University, expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government for launching the Nepal Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park. “As the largest and oldest agriculture and forestry university in Nepal, it is a great honor to participate in and support the Southern Agricultural Science and Technology Park project, working alongside Chinese agricultural experts to implement hybrid rice cultivation in Nepal,” she said.

The event was witnessed by Wang Shijie, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Committee, Han Ruichun, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Committee, Zou Zhiqiang, Director of the Nepal Office of the China Foundation for Rural Development, among others.

Meanwhile, Wang Shijie, Deputy Director of the Chongqing Agriculture and Rural Committee, expressed that the launch of the Park marks another action in Nepal under the “Light Up the Future” initiative by the China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre.

Similarly, Zou Zhiqiang, Director of the Nepal Office of the China Foundation for Rural Development, pledged to work in providing services to all involved in the project, ensuring its successful implementation in Nepal.