Nepal Chamber of Commerce Engages with Government on 10-Year Agricultural Investment Policy

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce recently engaged in discussions with Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister Ramnath Adhikari regarding the government's 10-year investment policy for agricultural development. The event, organized by the Agriculture, Herbs and Wildlife Committee, focused on the opportunities and challenges of achieving self-sufficiency in agriculture.

Minister Adhikari emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers by facilitating a sustainable livelihood and addressing issues like arable land and subsidies. Chamber President Kamlesh Kumar Agrawal highlighted the unfortunate reality of importing agricultural products worth around 3 billion rupees while neglecting local land.

He pointed to budget constraints as a significant barrier to achieving agricultural goals. The chamber expressed readiness to collaborate with the government on initiatives such as establishing a fertilizer factory and increasing the production of staple crops for food security.

Concerns were raised about the lack of alignment between government policies and the actual challenges faced by farmers, particularly regarding land limitations, marketing issues, and decreasing productivity. The chamber submitted 38 suggestions to Minister Adhikari to enhance the effectiveness of the investment policy.