Minister Adhikari stresses on budget implementation

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, June 14: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari has directed the secretaries, directors generals, division heads and heads of subordinate offices of the ministry to quickly prepare necessary procedures for the implementation of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year 2025/26. 

Speaking at a meeting held at the ministry on Friday, Minister Adhikari directed the officials to make arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the programmes being implemented at the local levels. 

"It is necessary to get information about whether the amount spent on agriculture in the local levels has been spent properly, how is the return and what is the status of the budget, and the complications encountered in implementation," he said.

"Although it is not possible for all municipalities to do this, it is necessary to select the municipalities on a representative basis and arrange for monitoring and evaluation under the leadership of the Joint Secretary," he said. 

Minister Adhikari emphasised the need for the services of the ministry, and its subordinate bodies to reach the grassroot level in a simple and easy manner.

There is a need for effective mobilisation of the mechanisms of the ministry, he added.

Recently, there have been complaints from farmers that Chaite paddy has been sold at a price much lower than the minimum support price, Minister Adhikari said, and directed the officials to make necessary arrangements in coordination with the relevant bodies to address the issue. 

In the meeting, Minister Adhikari received information about the current efforts being made to control Lumpy Skin diseases and African swine fever virus in domesticated animals, the efforts made and current payment situation to dairy farmers, and the status of import and distribution of chemical fertilisers.

Stating that import of popcorn looks abnormal, Minister Adhikari also directed to tighten it as it could be exported to third countries via Nepal. 

Popcorn worth Rs. 1 billion was imported last year, but the amount swelled to worth Rs. 3.94 billion in the current fiscal year.

Similarly, Minister Adhikari directed the Plant Quarantine and Pesticide Management Centre to stop the import of flower and fruit plants, encourage domestic production and promote nurseries. 

Secretaries of the Ministry of Agricultural and Livestock Development Dr. Govinda Prasad Sharma and Dr. Deepak Kumar Kharal, along with the heads of departments, divisions and offices under the ministry were present in the meeting.