KATHMANDU: World Bank's Practice Manager-Agriculture for South Asia Martien van Nieuwkoop on Tuesday held a meeting with Secretary of Ministry of Agricultural Development Uttam Kumar Bhattarai, in Kathmandu.

In the meeting, they discussed the present condition of the WB-aided Project for Agriculture Commercialisation and Trade (PACT). The duo attributed delay in progress of the Project to the earthquake and the border blockade last year, according to the Ministry.

They also discussed the status of food security arrangements and irrigation facilities in their meeting.

In accordance to his visit to Kaski and Tanahun districts, Nieuwkoop expressed that the farmers would benefit if the agricultural production was diversified.

He informed that he observed fish farming and attended an interaction with the locals of Rupakot-6 in Kaski district on May 22.

Other top officials of the Ministry and its various projects as well as representatives of the WB office in Nepal were also present on the occasion.