Agriculture main component of economy: PM Oli

By TRN Online, Kathmandu, Oct. 16: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the agricultural sector is the main part of the economy.

Conveying best wishes on the occasion of the 44th World Food Day, PM Oli said that it is a sad situation that despite having the majority of the population involved in agriculture many are still compelled to live in poverty and hunger. 

PM Oli said, "Even though around 62 per cent of households are engaged in agriculture, we heavily depend on import for food. Many families in Nepal are compelled to live in poverty-stricken life. It is a matter of grief that despite having cultivable land many hand-working denizens are living a low quality of life. Therefore, the current government is striving to end this. Now also, around 13 per cent and 42 districts are under food insecurity. We want to put a long-term end to this." 

Similarly, he said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, and the Minister for Industry, Commerce, and Supplies has initiated a concrete program for increasing the production and export of agricultural produce through the modernization and commercialization of agriculture.

Co-ordination and cooperation are being done at all local levels to establish food stores in all municipalities, while work has progressed by preparing a mechanism in the relevant ministries on how to eliminate absolute poverty as soon as possible. 

The PM said, " The cabinet of ministers has decided children on the street will be left alone in a state of helplessness. No children will be left alone to die nor become the victim of malnutrition despite hailing from geographical diversity.

The 44th World Food Day is being celebrated with the slogan of “Right to foods for a better life and a better future," on Wednesday.