March 11: The government had announced to set up industrial villages in different places of all the seven provinces, and has already started preparations to establish industrial villages in 100 ropanis of land targeting women entrepreneurs.

Under this initiative, a ‘Women’s Entrepreneurs Green Rural Area’ is being established in Panchkhal, Kavrepalanchok in collaboration with the central and local governments. For the first time in Nepal, Women’s Industrial Village is being established to develop women entrepreneurship institutionally. The land has been leased for 30 years in Panchkhal on the initiative of various women entrepreneurs.

Pramila Rijal, a woman entrepreneur and chairperson of the South Asian Women Development Forum (SAWDF), said that the detailed project report (DPR) for the establishment of the industrial village is being prepared.

She further informed that the industrial village will be operational within two years and 12 industries will be established there. Industries run solely be women will focus on agricultural production, fruit production and processing. Preparations have also been made to bring new technology, training, and online marketing.

Even if the priority is given to local women, those who want to set up enterprises and industries will also be able to participate.

Stating that there is more potential in the agricultural sector in Nepal, she said that the industrial village targeting women entrepreneurs is being established for the first time in the country. "Agriculture is always needed. We can commercialize its products and take them to the market," she said, adding, “Billions of rupees have been spent on importing these goods, so it is necessary to replace them and become self-reliant.”

Entrepreneurs say that the implementation of such scheme in Nepal can help in the development of women entrepreneurship and make women financially self-reliant as such concepts have been found to have supported the development of women entrepreneurship in India as well.

The government has already declared 58 industrial villages across the country since the last fiscal year to create employment by operating micro, cottage and small scale industries through local resources, raw materials, technology, skills and investment.

Stating that the productivity can be increased by integrating and managing the scattered small scale industries, the government has been declaring industrial villages. It has been said that such  villages are being established targeting only women to develop women entrepreneurship, ease their economic condition and increase production.