'Promotion of indigenous crops, pesticide-free produces in govt priority'

Kathmandu, June 7: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari said the government is launching additional programmes for the preservation and promotion of indigenous crops and pesticide-free agricultural produces.     

During the celebration of the 100 weeks of the 'Indigenous Agriculture Market' organized by the Agri Product Nepal here today, Minister Adhikari said the government is also actively working to preserve traditional agricultural skills.     

He hailed increasing awareness among people regarding the production and consumption of indigenous crops and organic food. Minister Adhikari emphasized commercial production of agricultural produces at scale so as to replace the import of the essential food items.     

The Indigenous Agriculture Market has played an instrumental role in spreading awareness about the importance of organic and local produces and facilitating consumers' access to such food items, he observed. In his view, the local levels and entrepreneurs play the important roles in preservation and promotion of indigenous crops.     

On a different note, Minister Adhikari saw the need of cultivating marijuana and other medicinal herbs, which he argued, would generate substantial revenue thereby addressing constraints of financial resources.     

"Currently we are compelled to import essential goods which are exerting pressure on the national economy. We all acknowledge this reality. If we legalize marijuana cultivation and other medicinal herbs, it would generate substantial revenue. Hence, it is imperative the government takes necessary actions towards this and we are positive," the Minister stated.     

Likewise, former Minister Sher Bahadur Tamang urged local levels to take concrete actions to preserve indigenous seeds, crops and skills. He said that there should be a provision wherein the farmers could avail low-interest loans rather than grant.     

Echoing with Minister Adhikari, he proposed legalizing marijuana cultivation and branding of the indigenous products such as alcohol made from millet.     

Likewise, Joint-Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Ramkrishna Shrestha, shared that the government of Nepal has been providing conditional grants to around 300 municipalities across the country since fiscal year 2020/21 to support preservation, development, promotion of indigenous crops and agricultural skills.     

On the occasion Agri Product Nepal's President Tilak Dhakal shared that the weekly market had been connecting farmers and producers with the consumers.     

There are some 35 stalls put in the weekly market which generally attract 300 to 400 consumers on average, resulting in an estimated turnover of Rs 30 million till date, he informed.     

Present on the occasion were entrepreneurs and people's representatives, farmers and consumers who univocally called for collective efforts to preserve Nepal's indigenous seeds, crops and traditional skills.(RSS)