Lalitpur, July 12

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today said agricultural development could generate immense employment opportunities.

Speaking at the general assembly of Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific, he said, “Nepal is a country of mountains and rivers.

Taking advantage of the varied geographical features of the country, we can generate opportunities through fish, honey and other possible agricultural products.”

On the occasion, a workshop on ‘herbal medicinal plants, honey and cold water fish’ was also jointly organised by NEDAC, National Cooperative Federation Ltd, National Cooperative Development Board, National Agriculture Cooperative Central Federation Ltd and National Cooperative Bank Ltd.

“Increased agricultural production means we are heading in the right direction towards improving the living standards of the people,” he said. “Self-reliance in agriculture helps alleviate not only household but also national poverty,” he added.

This is the second time NEDAC is holding it general assembly in Nepal after 2003. The NEDAC assembly is held every two years.

Currently, NEDAC comprises 20 national and central agencies of eight countries — Nepal (4), India (7), China (1), Bangladesh (2), Sri Lanka (1), Thailand (2), Philippines (2) and Iran (1). The assembly will elect Nepal as the chairman of NEDAC.

Vasudha Mishra, NEDAC chairperson, said cooperative organisations were founded to provide market place to farmers and to uplift the occupational standards in the Asian countries. The organisation provides technical support to countries dependent on agriculture.

Saroj Kumar Sharma, chairman of Nepal chapter of NEDAC, said, “This organisation should take into account changed agricultural technology in the world while exchanging products and sharing market among the countries to reduce poverty,” he said.