Govt committed to provide subsidies to real farmers

By Our Correspondent,Madhyabindu, Mar. 7: Minster for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has said that the present government is committed to providing subsidies to real farmers.

Minister Adhikari made this remark while addressing the inaugural programme of the Madhyabindu Agricultural Technology and Traditional Food Festival on Thursday.

He said, "There have been various criticisms about subsidies. That is why we have stopped the work related to the distribution of subsidy after the arrival of the present government. From now on, the Ministry of Agriculture will only move forward with the subsidies distribution work so that the real farmers receive it."

Stating that around 60 per cent of the land in the country is still the lack of irrigation access, he said stressed on the need to make irrigation facilities available in all the land to increase production and productivity.

He said that government is working to bring prosperity to the country and alleviate poverty through the agricultural sector.

Stating that the constitution itself states that the responsibility for the overall development of the agricultural sector is to be given to the local government, Minister Adhikari said that Madhyabindu Municipality has initiated the latest work by organising this type of agricultural festival.

He said that this festival would help in agricultural production and marketing.

The agricultural festival, which began on Thursday, will continue until Saturday, this week.

Highlighting the objectives of the festival, Mayor of Madhyabindu Municipality Bhim Lal Adhikari said that the exhibition was organised with the objective of showcasing the latest agricultural technologies and equipment, promoting and preserving traditional local food, and creating opportunities for interaction among farmers, entrepreneurs and technicians and researchers. 

He expressed his hope that this festival will help to inform the general public about the latest technologies in the agricultural sector, support the market promotion of local products, as well as benefit farmers from agricultural crop and livestock insurance, and facilitate agricultural loans through financial institutions.

The festival will feature exhibitions and sales of modern agricultural technology, organic agriculture, smart agricultural equipment, indigenous seeds and fertilisers, interactions with agricultural experts and stakeholders, exhibition of traditional dishes from different regions, testing and sales, inter-school agricultural quiz competition and original cultural presentations of different ethnic groups.

It is expected to draw than 25,000 people, including local farmers, agricultural researchers and students, agricultural technology and food processing entrepreneurs, businessmen and local producers will visit the festival.

The festival has 125 stalls dedicated to agriculture, technology and indigenous food.