CM Singh emphasizes adaptable farming

Mahottari, Aug 8: Chief Minister of Madhesh Province, Satish Kumar Singh underscored the need to adopt climate-resilient farming practices in the second Mango Symposium organized at Lalgadh in Dhanusha district today.

Pointing out the need to draw lessons from severe drought affecting the Madhesh Province this year, CM Singh urged the farmers to depart from traditional farming methods and consider adopting farming practices that are resilient to climate variability and change. "Rice is the major crop of Madhesh Province but prolonged drought has made paddy plantation difficult," said Singh, encouraging farmers to consider farming methods and practices that are drought-resilient.

Highlighting Madhesh Province's leadership in Nepal's mango production, he shared that the Province accounted for 70 per cent of country's total mango production.

Towards this, the CM suggested utilizing the barren slops along the East-West Highway to expand farming of mango and other fruits and pledged full support on the part of the provincial government to farmers and local level in this regard.

Stating that paddy plantation is not feasible in the absence of rainfall, he viewed that we should not delay any longer to consider viable alternatives. 

He opined that planting trees in the barren lands across the Chure Area and along riverbanks would not only contribute to boosting agricultural outputs but also promote environmental balance. 

The Chief Minister, on the occasion, proposed making Madhesh Province as the national mango production hub. "Currently, Madhesh Province contributes 70 per cent of total mango production in the country. Mango cultivation should be expanded further for more yields employing advance technology so that we could export it abroad."

Similarly, Dr Umesh Dahal, Secretary at the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives of the Madhesh Province, echoed that scientific mango production could significantly contribute to the Province's economy. 

Likewise, fruit expert Dr Shanta Karki presented an overview of mango production in the past and shed light on the innovative technologies that could be used for mango farming. 

Also speaking in the one-day event, Mahesh Chandra Acharya, Chief of the National Centre for Fruits Development, Kirtipur, shared that of the 52,975 hectares of land used for mango farming across the country, 34,798 hectare are in Madhesh Province.

According to him, the Madhesh Province produced 395,962 metric tonnes of mango this year, accounting for 70 per cent of the country's total production. 

The event was jointly organized by the government of Nepal, ICIMOD and various organizations such as Community Development and Advocacy Forum Nepal and Nepal Horticulture Society. 

During the event, Izabella Koziell, Deputy Director General of the ICIMOD, reaffirmed her commitment to support local level and provincial governments in sustainable mango farming. (RSS)