NFMA signs MoU with Agriwatch to advance agriculture using satellite technology
KATHMANDU: Nepal Flour Mills Association (NFMA) held its 24th annual general meeting (AGM) in Kathmandu on Friday.
The meeting was chaired by NFMA President Kumud Kumar Dugar, with Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, serving as the chief guest.
During the AGM, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between NFMA and India's Agriwatch company in the presence of Minister Bhandari. The agreement is aimed at providing information dissemination, analysis, and consulting services in Nepal's agricultural sector. It marks the first private sector initiative to utilise satellite technology for identifying agricultural trends in the country. By employing scientific crop data, addressing farmers' challenges, and delivering targeted solutions, Nepal holds significant potential to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat within three years. Achieving this target will require sustained support and collaboration from the Government of Nepal and all stakeholders.
The agreement offers several key benefits for Nepal's agricultural sector. These include the collection of price data for agricultural commodities, which will be compiled into daily, weekly, and monthly reports to assist farmers and traders in making informed decisions. Agricultural commodity research and consulting will also provide detailed insights into production, consumption, import and export analysis, and market trends, enhancing the understanding of the sector.
As per the MoU, farmers will receive guidance on agricultural investments in areas such as seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs, enabling them to choose suitable crops based on scientific research. Likewise, digital agricultural solutions, including AI-based crop analysis and personalised consulting, will empower farmers with modern technology and provide accurate statistics on Nepal's agricultural landscape. Agriwatch will also publish agricultural news, commodity prices, and market reports to ensure stakeholders have access to timely information.
The highlight of the AGM was the presence of Unupom Kausik, Managing Director of Indian government's National Co-operative Export Limited (NCEL). NCEL has been given full authority by the Indian government to oversee the promotion of agricultural sector and manage quota exports. It plays a vital role in India's industrial goods exports, including past imports of food grains such as sugar and the recent shipment of 200,000 tonnes of wheat provided by India to Nepal. The Managing Director was invited to Nepal at NFMA's special request to strengthen collaboration between NCEL and Nepal.
On the occasion, founding president of Nepal's oldest flour mill, Khadya Udhyog, and NFMA, Rabindra Bahadur Shrestha, was honoured with a ceremonial draping of a shawl.
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