Budget to focus on commercialisation of agriculture

KATHMANDU, JUNE 18:

Upcoming budget will focus on commercialisation of agriculture sector, said chief economic advisor at Ministry of Finance Dr Chiranjivi Nepal.

New agriculture programmes will stimulate the sector towards commercialisation, he said at an interaction today. The budget of fiscal year 2013-14 will prioritise the programmes dedicated to uplift the agriculture sector.

“The budget will be around Rs 22 billion”, he said, adding new programmes will be there to provide benefit to farmers. “Government will try to establish chemical fertiliser plant in the country to reduce chances of fertiliser shortage at cultivation season,” Nepal said.

Country has been witnessing shortage of chemical fertiliser during cultivation season of major crops — paddy and maize. “Adequate fertiliser during cultivation season will be arranged this year.” Chairman of Small Farmer Development Bank Khem Bahadur Pathak urged the government to focus on small farmers while starting new programmes.

“Government must substitute agriculture import and stop building houses in arable land,” he said. Similarly, he also demanded strengthening seed and fertiliser distribution channels across the country. Chief of Project for Agriculture Commercialisation and Trade Yogendra Karki said the budget should promote exportable goods. High value crops with export potentials should get priority, he said.

Source: THT