FNCCI, USAID host national workshop to strengthen agribusiness MSMEs in Nepal

KATHMANDU: The Agro Enterprise Centre (AEC) of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Nepal Seed and Fertiliser Programme, successfully hosted a two-day National Workshop on the 'Status, Opportunities, and Challenges of Agribusiness Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nepal' on September 10 and 11.

The workshop gathered 140 participants from various sectors, including government, cooperatives, development partners, agriculture service providers, and MSMEs.

Agribusiness MSMEs play a crucial role in Nepal’s agricultural sector by adding value to agricultural products, enhancing market access for farmers, and promoting sustainable farming practices. These enterprises require support to modernise their business practices, develop connections with service providers, create a conducive environment for investments in agribusiness, and establish robust and durable commercial models for transforming agriculture in Nepal, generating employment, and fostering local economic development.

In his address at the special inaugural session, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ramnath Adhikari emphasised the government's commitment to supporting the growth and resilience of agribusiness MSMEs, recognising their vital role in sustaining Nepal's agricultural sector.

FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal highlighted the business potential in agriculture and the need to advance business growth.

AEC Chairperson DB Basnet underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in strengthening the linkages and capacity of MSMEs to advance Nepal’s agribusiness sector.

The workshop featured five technical sessions, including paper presentations, discussions, and panel dialogues focusing on business linkages, policy options for reducing risks and increasing investments, and overall market competitiveness.

The event concluded with the presentation of key recommendations to strengthen the competitiveness of agribusiness MSMEs in partnership with the Government of Nepal. These recommendations are expected to inform future policy formulation, creating an environment conducive to business for these enterprises and significantly impacting economic and employment opportunities, agricultural productivity, food security, and inclusive growth in Nepal.

USAID’s Nepal Seed and Fertiliser Programme builds competitive seed and fertiliser systems across the country. It better connects smallholder farmers to Nepal’s agricultural market system, boosts sustainable agricultural production, and increases crop productivity, thereby improving food security.

USAID also supports the commercial maize model to improve maize production and marketing for food and feed in collaboration with the public and private sectors and farmers' cooperatives in the Terai region of Nepal.