Organic Karnali Dream

Karnali Province government had announced to make the province organic in February 2018, as it has the potential for producing a wide range of organic products due to its favourable climate and comparatively low use of chemical fertilisers. It is popular for organic apples and walnuts, beans, buckwheat, medicinal and aromatic plants and honey. Although extremely rich in natural resources, it is the least economically developed province in the country.  Recognising this potential, the government promoted organic farming in Karnali, which can be the basis for its economic transformation. Despite a strong prospect, it needs proper storage, pesticide testing laboratories, and proper road connectivity to market its high-quality organic produce. 

It is ironic that Karnali itself is importing pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables from India that are cheaper compared to the local organic products and government intervention is minimal, which is discouraging the local farmers. There is high demand for Kanali's organic produce in Kathmandu and other cities. The increased consumption of Jumla's apples in the domestic markets shows what proper branding can do to Karnali's organic yields. Consumers these days give high importance to organic products, as they are aware of the long-term hazards of pesticide-laden fruits and vegetables.  Naturally, the price of organic produce is also significantly higher owing to its health benefits.  

The government has formulated the Organic Agriculture Act, standards for processing organic products, participatory quality assurance guidelines, internal control system guidelines and an organic agriculture plan. Farmers were given training regarding compost fertilisers, organic pest management, bio-fertilisers, soil fertility management and harvesting and grading practices. Despite all this, Karnali still lacks adequate infrastructure, policies, programmes, expertise and incentives to encourage local farmers. The contradiction between the government's claim and ground reality hints that the implementation is lacking in the organic Karnali endeavour. 

Each year, a budget is allocated for this goal. According to a news report in this daily, since fiscal year 2017-18, nearly Rs. 2 billion has been allocated annually. And more than Rs. 70 million allocated to promote organic produce in Karnali has frozen until 2024. The programme has secured a place in the budget for the upcoming fiscal year as well. The provincial government has introduced programmes in the budget for the fiscal year 2026/27 to provide subsidies to farmers willing to utilise barren land, adopt technology-based farming and establish organic fertiliser production facilities. However, limited arable land of 299,339 hectares, low irrigation coverage, climate change, and outmigration are still the problems the province faces. 

A Cabinet meeting held on May 27, 2026, approved the Karnali Province Pesticide Management Regulations. Due to the lack of technologies and equipment, such as pesticide testing laboratories, consumers' doubt whether agricultural products grown within the province are genuinely organic. At a time when local youths are migrating to India, especially Uttarakhand, as migrant workers, the government's ambitious endeavour of organic Karnali can provide economic opportunities for the locals by promoting sustainable agriculture. In hindsight, it appears that the government declared organic Karnali without adequate preparation. As we all know, our government is swift in declaring ambitious projects, but slow in their implementation. Now the provincial government must brace for realising the vision of organic Karnali through integrated approach in which all three tiers of governments meaningfully participate.