By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Mar. 25: Prime Minister KP Sharma declared Nepal a self-reliant country on meat and egg production today.

Declaring Nepal self-reliant on chicken, goat meat, and egg production in a program which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development PM Oli said that the agriculture sector is still not able to provide full employment and profit orientation to the farmers.

"Many farmers are still underemployed and seasonal employed and cannot fully rely on the employment to make a living, so we the government are focused on the need of expanding production and productivity in the country so that the agro-economy of the country will be flourished," he said.

PM has stressed the agriculture sector which can be viable for generating employment opportunities that are going out in search of employment opportunities should be technology-focused with large volume production employing skilled manpower.

"This will provide an ample amount of profit to the farmers on one hand and on the other hand, will make the country self-reliant on the agro production," added PM.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in Nepal, there are a total of 38 lakh families in the agriculture sector, of them 1.5 lakhs are solely engaged in livestock rearing and caring. Where 30 per cent of the protein is achieved by the products from animals.

There has been a 10 to 12 per cent increment in milk production and about 1.5 crores rupees go to the pocket of the farmers in the village from the consumption in cities.

Similarly, Padma Kumari Aryal, Minister for the Agriculture and Livestock Development said that the progressing agriculture production, which contributes to 27 per cent of the GDP, has marked an improvement in the health of the general population, has up-levelled the income and statutes as well.  

"Nepal has now become self-reliant on chicken, goat meat, and egg production and our aim to achieve full reliance in the near future.  For this, we have developed a five-year plan and a working action plan for each year," said Minster Aryal.

Tika Ram Pokharel, vice-president of Nepal Poultry Federation said that the poultry sector provides employment to five lakh people and if other facilities like soft loans can be provided then it can become the platform that will generate large opportunities in Nepal.

Similarly, Prime Minister and Minister Arayal launched the book entitled, 'A strategy to improve the livestock and fish sector.'