Kathmandu, May 15

Organic experts have recommended the Nepal government to bring long-term strategy and policies to create favourable environment for organic farming in the country.

Concluding a two-daylong International Organic Experts’ Meet 2019 here today, experts presented their suggestions and recommendations to Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Chakrapani Khanal.

Presenting the challenges and opportunities of organic farming in Nepal, the experts requested the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to bring long-term policies and implement it without any compromise. Similarly, the experts have also recommended developing and expanding new technologies as an alternative for chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

As per the experts, technical aspects of organic farming should be included in the academic curriculum so that everybody will be aware of agriculture and farming. Giving an example of Karnali province, the experts suggested identifying and expanding more organic areas in the country.

Meanwhile, they said that a separate organisational structure should be set up in all federal, provincial and local governments so that organic farming could be promoted equally in all areas.

Meanwhile, the task force formed by the ministry for the promotion of organic farming has claimed that they have conducted few meetings and discussions with all three levels of government regarding organic farming. “We have conducted discussions with federal, local and provincial governments and also collected some suggestion for our project,” said Ganga Acharya, a member of the task force.

Responding to the suggestions of experts, Minister Khanal said that the government is committed to make the country’s agricultural sector an organic sector.

“We are committed for the development of organic farming. And the suggestions provided by the distinguish experts will be discussed and implemented effectively,” he added. He further said that now the agricultural sector will move ahead along with science and technology.

“We have to analyse the current situation of our farmers and their production level to implement any new programme. So, before bringing any new policy, the real situation has to be analysed,” he said, requesting concern authorities to first address farmers’ demand.

Organic experts from India, Bhutan, Cuba and Spain along with other 150 national and international participants representing farmers group, organic farming activists, agriculture and cooperative groups and other concern authorities had participated in the event. Aiming to promote organic farming in Nepal, the ministry had organised this conference.