Pvt sector calls for apt farm policy

KATHMANDU, SEP 18 -

The Nepal Chamber of Commerce (NCC) on Monday said the government should encourage private sector investment in agriculture through appropriate policy.

NCC stressed on the need for amending the existing agriculture policy to create conducive environment for the private sector’s engagement in the agribusiness. “We are ready to work with the government for the development of the agriculture sector under the public-private-partnership model,” said NCC’s President Suresh Basnet at an interaction on ‘Agribusiness Promotion’.

The private sector body also said the existing policy does not address the risks inherent in engaging the private sector in the farm sector and as a result, the country has not been able to take advantage of the opportunities in the agriculture sector.

NCC urged the government to bring a policy that facilitates both the private sector and farmers to market access, provide loans in nominal interest rates, set up organic and chemical fertiliser factories, among others. “The government should initiate the process for setting up fertiliser factories in collaboration with the private sector,” Basnet said.

NCC underscored the need for setting up a buffer stock of food grains. “The private sector is ready to invest in the buffer stock under the PPP model.”

Uddav Adhikari, representative of farmers’ associations, said the country imported seeds worth Rs 5 billion last fiscal year, which clearly shows that the country has a huge potential in seeds production. Adhikari said the agriculture sector employs the country’s large population, but discouragingly, 70 percent farmers hold only 30 percent of arable land.

Highlighting the importance of research and extension in the farm sector, the Nepal PhD Association, a multidisciplinary research group of professionals and experts, said they are ready to work with NCC and the government for the development of the country’s agriculture sector.

Source: The Kathmandu Post