Need of legal reform to resolve problems in agriculture

Kathmandu, Jan 2: Stakeholders have underlined the need for a legal reform to resolve the problems facing Nepal's agricultural sector.     

Speaking at a consultative programme organized by the All Nepal Peasants' Federation here Thursday, they said the lengthy procurement process needs change so that import of chemical fertilizers would be swift. They expressed worry why it takes as many as 287 days to bring chemical fertilizers from abroad.     

On the occasion, Kusum Devi Thapa, Chairperson of Committee on Agriculture, Cooperatives and Natural Resources under the House, assured that the Committee would extend support for resolving the legal problems surfaced in agricultural sector.     

Women have significant role in agriculture, so the discrimination on wages to the women involved in this sector must end, she underlined.     

Committee members Soshi Chaudhari and Saraswati Subba said it was essential to study legal hurdles in agriculture. They also vowed support to amend necessary laws on it.     

Federation's Chairman Prem Dangal expressed concern over undue influence of employees in law making on agriculture. It was creating problems. He suggested the lawmakers that they strengthened their roles in law making, while Federation would advance the pressure programmes.     

Joint Secretary at Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Ram Krishna Shrestha, shared information that a new agriculture bill was currently under discussion. Once the bill is passed by the parliament, it would help curb the trend of leaving land unused and reduce dependence on seeds and chemical fertilizers.(RSS)