NCC holds interaction with Agriculture Minister Adhikari

KATHMANDU: Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) held an interaction with concerned bodies, including Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari, regarding the government's 10-year investment policy in agricultural development. 

The programme, organised by NCC's Agriculture, Herbs and Wildlife Committee, discussed the government's 10-year investment policy, the possibilities, and the challenges of achieving self-sufficient agriculture with representatives from the private sector.

In the programme, Minister Adhikari stated that in the first phase, the government will facilitate agricultural cultivation to ensure a basic livelihood. He emphasised that the government aims to develop the economy and eradicate poverty by achieving agricultural independence. Minister Adhikari highlighted efforts to make barren land arable by increasing the number of citizens engaged in agriculture. 

Minister Adhikari also mentioned plans to ensure that genuine farmers receive the subsidies and concessional loans provided by the government. He reiterated the government's readiness to cooperate with the private sector for the modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture.

Addressing the programme, NCC President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal lamented that the country imports agricultural products worth around Rs 300 billion while leaving its land barren. Agrawal stated that the contribution of agriculture to GDP and the decrease in growth rate has led to increased imports. He attributed the lack of expected achievements in agriculture to budget constraints and ineffective utilisation of allocated funds. Agrawal stated that NCC is ready to establish a fertiliser factory with joint investment from the government and the private sector. He emphasised the need to increase the production of agricultural products like rice, maize, wheat, and potatoes for a self-sustainable economy and food security.

NCC Senior Vice President Deepak Kumar Malhotra pointed out that commercial agriculture is hindered by land limitations. He commented that while the private sector is ready to invest in the modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture, the government's policies are complicated.

Agriculture, Herbs and Wildlife Committee Chair Krishna Man Shrestha highlighted the lack of harmony between the government's policies and programmes in agriculture and the real problems faced by common farmers. He stressed the need to address the issue of thousands of youths migrating abroad while the agricultural sector lacks skilled manpower. "The government's indifference to the marketing and pricing of agricultural produce has left farmers in trouble," he opined and added "Productivity is decreasing due to limited irrigation facilities, traditional farming methods, and a lack of quality fertilisers and seeds." 

Representatives of various private sector associations and organisations related to agriculture brought the attention of Minister Adhikari to the problems in the sector. 

During the programme held at Chamber Bhawan, Jamal, NCC also submitted a 38-point recommendation regarding the government's 10-year investment policy in agricultural development to Minister Adhikari.