Farmers to get subsidies, loans: Minister Adhikari

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 27: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has said that he is trying to make arrangements so that actual farmers can get subsidies and concessional loans given by the government in the agricultural sector. 

He made this remark at a discussion on ‘Decade of Investment in Agriculture’ organised by the Nepal Chamber of Commerce on Friday.

Minister Adhikari said that the government is ready to cooperate with the private sector for the modernisation and commercialisation of agriculture sector as the role of private sector is vital for agricultural development.

He said that in the first phase, the government will facilitate agriculture at least to earn a living. 

Minister Adhikari said that the government is trying to develop the economy and free the country from poverty by making the country self-reliant in agriculture. 

He said that the ministry is facilitating to use barren land for agriculture by increasing the number of dependent citizens in the agricultural sector. 

Addressing the programme, President of NCC Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal said that it is unfortunate for the country that agricultural products worth around Rs. 300 billion are being imported by keeping the arable land barren. 

Agrawal said that due to the lack of budget and the fact that even the allocated budget cannot be spent effectively, the expected growth in agriculture has not been achieved. 

He emphasised that agricultural products like rice, maize, wheat and potatoes should be increased for self-sustaining economy and food security.

He said that the NCC is ready to establish an agricultural fertiliser factory with joint investment of the government and the private sector. 

On the occasion, the NCC has submitted 38-point suggestions regarding the ‘Decade of Investment in Agriculture’ to Minister Adhikari.

Considering the need of huge investment in the agriculture sector, the government has declared the Decade of Investment in Agriculture from 2024 to 2034 in the budget for the current fiscal year 2024/25.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has prepared a comprehensive concept paper aimed at initiating the "Investment Decade" in agriculture.