PM Dahal stresses developing innovative agricultural system

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has pointed out the need to promote an innovation-oriented agricultural system for the country's prosperity.

Addressing a programme entitled 'Present Status and the Future of Sustainable Development' held at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers in Singha Durbar on Wednesday, PM Dahal opined that the country's prosperity is not possible with the traditional style of agricultural system.

PM Dahal stressed the need for adopting a modern agriculture system, stating that employment creation, production growth and import substitution are possible through the development of the agriculture sector.

He reiterated that agriculture alone is the main basis for the sustainable development of Nepal. Stating that the present government is wholeheartedly on the prosperity journey making agriculture the main foundation, the prime minister said the role of agriculture is reflected in the 16th Five-year Plan. He added that the government has prioritised agriculture as he was also a student of agriculture.

Noting that the initiative of the Government of India was exemplary for the green revolution, PM Dahal said countries like Nepal could learn from India's achievements. He further added that the government is ready to adopt topics that are appropriate for Nepal.

On the occasion, general-secretary of Patanjali Yogpeeth, Acharya Balakrishna, made a presentation on the role of agriculture in sustainable development, highlighting the works that can be carried out in the agriculture sector. He presented an idea on how work based on agriculture could be done for sustainable development.

Present at the programme were Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Rekha Sharma, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Beduram Bhusal, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Shakti Bahadur Basnet, members of the Council of Ministers, chief secretary and secretaries of different ministries, among other government officials.