Three ADB-assisted projects have been awarded with the Outstanding Project Management Award by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Nepal Resident Mission.

Finance Secretary Dr. Vidyadhar Mallik presented the awards to the representatives of the winning project teams —Crop Diversification Project (CDP), Road Network Development Project (RNDP) and Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Project (STWSSSP)—at a special ceremony held here, Friday, according to press release by the bank.

“The Crop Diversification Project aims to improve the living standards of rural populations in the poverty-stricken regions in midwestern and far-western Nepal by promoting the production and marketing of secondary crops. The Project has promoted production and marketing of secondary crops in mid western and far western districts of Nepal. Diversified crops are being grown in all 205 pockets covering about 21,106 ha of incremental area. Production and marketing of secondary crops (in local, regional, national, and bordering Indian markets) have increased by 167,554 mt and 54828,672 mt, respectively. Volume (and quality) of agriculture products traded in the project area has significantly improved,” states the press release.

Likewise, the Small Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project is assisting Government in providing water supply, limited drainage, and sanitation facilities in 29 small towns with average population of about 18,000.

“The Road Network Development Project aims to improve and maintain the East-West Highway and other strategic and important roads to allow access to rural areas and a nonconnected district headquarters, and contribute to developing an effective national road network.” n