The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), in partnership with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA), organized the first Project Steering Committee (PSC) meeting for the Inclusive Rural Development Project (IRDP) in Bardiya. The project carries a total budget of USD 8 million.
This meeting marked the official launch and operationalization of the five-year project (2024–2029) during which the PSC formally endorsed the project’s Action Plan.
The meeting was chaired by Secretary of MoFAGA Nita Pokhrel Aryal and co-chaired by KOICA Country Director, Kong Mooheon, Mayors and representatives from all eight municipalities (Badhaiyatal, Bansgadhi, Barbardiya, Geruwa, Gulariya, Madhuwan, Rajapur and Thakurbaba) of Bardiya District, officials from Bardiya National Park, and members of the Project Management Consultant (PMC) team of Korea Institute for Development Strategy (KDS).
During the meeting, the PMC provided an overview of the project’s objectives and implementation strategies, along with the Korean Invitational Training Plan designed to strengthen local capacities, reads a statement issued by KOICA Nepal.
Municipal Mayors shared their Local Initiatives Projects (LIPs), reaffirming their commitment to inclusive implementation at the grassroots level in the meeting. Bardiya National Park also presented plans to promote eco-tourism as a means of enhancing community-based livelihoods and conservation.
Addressing the program, KOICA Country Director Kong Mooheon expressed deep appreciation for the continued collaboration between KOICA and the Government of Nepal. He emphasized that the project reflects a shared commitment to improving rural livelihoods through inclusive and sustainable development, according to the statement.
Highlighting project components focused on dairy production, crop farming, agricultural machinery, compost production, and fish processing, he reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to supporting small farmers, women, and marginalized communities through enhanced productivity and employment generation. He further expressed gratitude for the strong participation and support from all stakeholders.
Addressing the event, PSC Chair and Joint Secretary Nita Pokhrel Aryal underscored the long-standing friendship between Nepal and the Republic of Korea. She acknowledged KOICA’s significant role in supporting Nepal’s development across sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and capacity building. She appreciated KOICA’s continued cooperation and expressed the Government’s commitment to further strengthening this partnership to promote resilience, prosperity, and sustainable development in rural Nepal, the statement further reads.
Likewise, the Member Secretary Praladh Karki, Under Secretary of MoFAGA expressed appreciation for Korea’s ongoing contribution to Nepal’s socio-economic progress and highlighted the endorsed Action Plan as a symbol of shared commitment and future collaboration. Mayors of the participating municipalities also commended KOICA’s support and reaffirmed their full cooperation for effective and sustainable project implementation in Bardiya District.
Prior to the formal meeting, the delegation conducted a field visit to local cooperatives, including the Kedareshwor Dairy Cooperative in Bansgadhi and Kalpabrikshya Fish Processing Cooperative in Badhaiyatal. These visits showcased successful community-driven initiatives and highlighted opportunities for cooperative-led rural economic transformation.
