Kathmandu, October 16

Farmers have appealed to the government to promote agriculture to ensure that Nepal is self-reliant in food.

Speaking at a programme organised in the Capital to mark the World Food Day today, they said that Nepal’s economy cannot be strong unless the agriculture sector of the country is strengthened to meet the domestic demand of food.

Highlighting the fact that the country imported food worth almost Rs 150 billion last fiscal year, officials of National Farmers’ Group Federation said, “Food import is increasing every year and the future of millions of farmers is at risk due to lack of government’s support for agriculture and its promotion. All stakeholders should put in their best efforts to promote commercial agriculture as well as agriculture based on peasants.”