Sikta Irrigation Project brings major agricultural transformation in Banke

Banke, April 22: The Sikta Irrigation Project, one of Nepal’s national pride projects, has made notable progress in expanding irrigation infrastructure in Banke district, bringing long-awaited transformation to local agriculture.

The project, which was developed to support large-scale irrigation in the western Terai, has so far completed irrigation facilities covering 24,000 hectares of land. It draws water from the Rapti River through a dam and canal system, with a total target of irrigating 42,766 hectares.

With the completion of major sections and the gradual expansion of canal networks, irrigation has now reached a substantial portion of farmland in the district. Officials say the improved water supply has shifted farming practices away from reliance on rainfall.

As a result, farmers in Banke have increasingly adopted a three-crop system, cultivating paddy during the monsoon, followed by potato or mustard, and spring maize. This has boosted both agricultural productivity and household income.

Agriculture authorities say the project has strengthened food security and encouraged commercial farming, while further expansion is expected to enhance rural economic growth and farming resilience in the region.