Nepal begins exporting vegetables to Qatar

KATHMANDU: The export of Nepal-grown vegetables to Qatar began on Thursday, with approximately 2,000 kilogrammes of produce from Dakshinkali Municipality, Kathmandu, being shipped in the first phase. 

This initiative is part of the Agriculture Programme supported by the China Foundation for Rural Development (CFRD) Nepal Office, according to Mohan Basnet, Mayor of Dakshinkali Municipality. "We handed over the vegetable consignment to the Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Nepal, Mishal bin Mohammed Al Ansari, during a programme at Tribhuvan International Airport Customs Office," he stated.

Narahari Prasad Ghimire, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, expressed pleasure at the export, stating that vegetable farming in Dakshinkali is conducted under the Agriculture Promotion Programme of the CFRD. The export of vegetables is expected to improve the country's economic development and encourage farmers towards vegetable cultivation. The CFRD has provided special training and agricultural implements to the farmers.

Exporting to Qatar facilitated by China's technical and financial assistance is considered a significant step in Nepal's agricultural development. The vegetables exported include red cherry pepper chillies (Akabare), flat beans, and bitter gourd (Karela).

The Qatari ambassador remarked that the vegetables grown by Dakshinkali's local farmers would be well-received in the Qatari market, emphasising the importance of maintaining freshness and quality.

The CFRD Nepal Office has been instrumental in transferring successful rural development practices from China to Nepal. Initially, the CFRD focused on skill development through professional training in plumbing and electrical work. In 2023, the Foundation supported sustainable development by providing special training on off-season vegetable production in Tarakeshwar Municipality, Kathmandu district.

By RSS