The Nepal Distilleries, NFAC launch initiative to boost sugarcane cultivation in Madhesh
KATHMANDU: The Nepal Distilleries, in collaboration with the Nepal Farmers Advisory Council (NFAC), has initiated a programme to boost sugarcane cultivation in the Madhesh Province. This initiative is designed to draw farmers to the primary cash crop of Madhesh and stimulate the expansion of the agricultural sector.
With The Nepal Distilleries providing financial support and NFAC offering technical expertise, a special orientation programme was held in Dhanusha. The aim of this programme was to enhance the skills, capacity, and income of farmers from marginalised communities, thereby encouraging sugarcane cultivation.
The Nepal Distilleries hosted a skill-based and income-enhancing orientation and training programme at the Agriculture Development Directorate and Agricultural Business Promotion Support and Training Centre in Naktajhij, Dhanusha. This programme targeted the leading farmers of Siraha, Saptari, Mahottari, and Dhanusha districts, promoting sugarcane farming.
Janakraj Regmi, the Chief Administrative Officer of The Nepal Distilleries and the organiser of the event, stated that the programme was not only designed to educate farmers about sugar production from sugarcane, but also to expand, promote, and protect sugarcane farming. He added, 'The Nepal Distilleries, which has been commercially producing world-class beverages in Nepal since 1959, utilises sugarcane products produced by local farmers. The essential raw materials for rum production are derived from molasses, which is why the company maintains a strong relationship with sugarcane farmers. Emphasising this important relationship, we are committed to proactively implementing long-term partnership action plans in the future to support the overall advancement of sugarcane farmers.'
During the programme, Sharan Kumar Panday, Secretary at the Madhesh Province Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative (MoLMAC), discussed the challenges faced by sugarcane farmers, such as delayed payments, lack of fertiliser and seeds, and the need to develop sugarcane farming across all eight districts of Madhesh. He mentioned that preparations are underway to establish a Province Sugarcane Development Board.
Govind Bahadur Neupane, Province's Minister for Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperative, affirmed the provincial government's commitment to addressing the overall demands and needs of sugarcane farmers. He stated that the agricultural sector will be developed by establishing an Agriculture Knowledge Centre in every municipality of the province.
Bimal Kumar Nirmal, Managing Director at NFAC, presented on the situation, challenges, and prospects of sugarcane farming in the Madhesh Province. He explained that there is potential for high returns from sugarcane production in Nepal. He added, 'Through this, by substituting foreign beverages worth billions of rupees, the country's capital can be preserved from being exported.'
Former Agriculture Secretary and NFAC Chairman Yogendra Kumar Karki, Programme Coordinator Narayan Shrestha, Mahesh Pant, Dilraj Yadav, Ramkrishna Rajak, and Anisur Rehman Ansari also addressed the programme.
About The Nepal Distilleries
Established in 1959, The Nepal Distilleries is the first distillery in Nepal. The ISO 9001:2015-certified company produces the most popular Khukri Rum in Nepal. In addition to this, it also produces spirits such as Nude Superior Vodka and Aristocrat. Khukri Rum is available across the country and is also exported to Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Italy, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Dubai, and other countries.
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