Traders urge govt to ensure market access for agricultural products

KATHMANDU, May 31:

Amid an interaction held at Balkhu Agriculture and Vegetable Market (BAVM), traders have urged the government ensure market access for agricultural products.

Speaking at the program, traders said Nepal imports huge volume of agriculture products in the lack of proper implementation its policies.

“The government should prioritize both agriculture production and ensure market access to help reduce imports,” Ram Krishna Kunwar, executive director of BAVM said, adding, “Ensuring market access for agriculture products would encourage farmers to take up commercial farming.”

According to him, Nepal imports fruits, vegetables and meat products worth Rs 45 billion and Rs 55 billion worth of other food commodities as rice, edible oil and lentils. He added “Trade deficit of Nepal which is Rs 480 billion at present can be reduced by Rs 100 billion if we become self-reliant in agricultural products.”

Addressing the program, Bigyan Adhakari, president of Society of Economic Journalist-Nepal (SEJON) said agriculture sector plays a key role in economic growth and urged the government to provide subsidies to farmers.

Source: Republica