KATHMANDU, MAY 11

Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal has expressed concern about inadequate investment in agriculture sector.

Minister Bhusal said, "Although agriculture is still a major backbone of the national economy, this sector gets a meagre (only 3 per cent of the total budget) allocation.

At a programme organised on 'Availability of chemical fertilisers and problems in agriculture sector by the Sustainable Development and Good Governance Committee of the Parliament today, Minister Bhusal said, "Promotion of agricultural mechanisation and increase in budget is a must."

According to him, farmers need half million tonnes of chemical fertilisers. "So, initiatives should be launched to ensure budget on time," he stressed. He shared that the decision was made to conduct a feasibility study to establish a chemical fertiliser factory in the country.

Similarly, policies obstructing resolution of fertiliser problems were eased and concrete decision was made to adopt G2G model for smooth supply of fertilisers.

On the occasion, Secretary at Agriculture Ministry Govinda Prasad Sharma informed that budget was not allocated on time last year, adding, "But it is ensured this time."

He also informed that all farmers would be brought to online system by preparing software in a bid to make agriculture insurance effective. He, however, said the availability of seeds had been declining for the past five years.

Moreover, lawmaker Bamdev Gautam stressed the need to make the local government more responsible for promoting agriculture. "Investing in rural agriculture and creating investment-friendly environment can improve the situation," he argued.

A version of this article appears in the print on May 12, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.