President Ramchandra Poudel has outlined the government's comprehensive policies and programs for the fiscal year 2081/082. Presented at the Federal Parliament's joint meeting, these policies focus on transforming Nepal's agricultural sector to ensure self-sufficiency, modernization, and increased productivity.

Achievements in the Current Fiscal Year

• Increased Crop Production: The timely supply of seeds and fertilizers has significantly boosted the production of agricultural crops, including rice.
• Extended Irrigation Facilities: Irrigation has been extended to 3,000 hectares of land.
• Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion Project: The 13.2 km long tunnel has been completed ahead of schedule, enhancing irrigation capacity.

Strategic Roadmap for Agricultural Growth

• Production and Productivity Growth: A clear roadmap will be prepared and implemented to increase production, productivity, modernization, commercialization, and marketing in the agricultural sector.
• Agricultural Ecosystem Improvement: An action plan will be developed to improve the agricultural ecosystem from production to marketing.
• Land Use-Based Agricultural System: An agricultural system will be developed to clarify the interrelationship between agriculture, animal husbandry, and forestry.

Investment and Modernization Initiatives

• Investment Decade in Agriculture: The financial year 2081/082 will be declared the 'Investment Decade in Agriculture' to increase investment from the government, private sector, cooperatives, and development partners.
• Modern Technology Adoption: The use of modern technology in agricultural production will be encouraged to enhance efficiency and yield.

Key Program Highlights

• Self-Sufficiency in Food Grains and Vegetables: Programs will be restructured to ensure self-sufficiency in major food grains and vegetables.
• Access to Production Means: Farmers will have easy access to the means of production before planting crops.
• Protection and Utilization of Arable Land: Protection of arable land, including barren land along riverbanks and upland areas, will be prioritized.
• Promoting Collective Farming: Collective farming, contract farming, and cooperative farming will be promoted by consolidating scattered agricultural lands.
• Commercial Agriculture Development: Commercial agriculture will be developed on arable land, and food processing industries will be established in collaboration with the private sector.

Special Programs for Agricultural Self-Reliance

• Local Crop Varieties: All local varieties of crops will be registered, and high-yield varieties will be promoted.
• Encouraging Raw Material Production: Agriculture and related industries will be encouraged to produce raw materials domestically.
• Agricultural Loans and Insurance: Arrangements will be made to provide easy access to agricultural loans for farmers and agro-based industrialists. Insurance coverage will be expanded for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries using information technology.

Strategic Focus on Agricultural Production Areas

The Government of Nepal has unveiled an extensive policy for the agricultural sector, aiming to boost production, productivity, and potential. Specific production areas will be determined based on these criteria, ensuring optimal use of resources.

Key Initiatives and Programs

• Integrated Production and Marketing: Local levels will coordinate with farmer groups and cooperatives to implement comprehensive production and marketing programs.
• Chaite Paddy Production: Farmers will be encouraged to produce Chaite paddy in suitable areas.
• Support for Barren Land: Arable barren land will be utilized for animal husbandry, high-value fruits, non-timber forest produce, and cash crops.

Minimum Support Prices and Market Arrangements

• Fixed Support Prices: Minimum support prices for basic agricultural produce and animal products will be established before the production cycle starts.
• Advance Purchase Agreements: Arrangements will be made for advance purchase agreements with commercial producers.
• Storage Capacity: Storage facilities will be expanded with private and cooperative sector involvement to streamline the distribution of agricultural products.

Fertilizer Management and Organic Farming

• Quality Chemical Fertilizers: Supply of quality chemical fertilizers will be ensured for sustainable soil fertility management.
• Systematic Fertilizer Distribution: Fertilizer import, quality monitoring, and distribution will be made more systematic and transparent.
• Encouragement of Organic Farming: Organic farming will be promoted to reduce soil acidity and enhance production.

Agricultural Market and Regulatory Mechanisms

• Market Structure Development: Agricultural market structures will be developed with private sector participation.
• Regulatory Mechanism: A regulatory framework for the marketing of agricultural, livestock, and fishery products will be established.
• Pesticide Testing: The scope of pesticide testing on imported food and vegetables will be expanded.
• Food Laboratories: Food laboratories will be upgraded to internationally accredited standards.

Market Information System and Wholesale Markets

• Market Information System: A system will be developed for collecting, analyzing, and projecting agricultural data.
• Wholesale Markets: Feasibility-based agricultural and fruit wholesale markets with humidity chambers will be established in metropolitan and sub-metropolitan municipalities.

Model Farms and Agricultural Research

• Ward-Level Model Farms: Model farms will be established at the ward level and developed as learning centers in partnership with young farmers and entrepreneurs.
• Agricultural Research Policy: An agricultural research policy compatible with the federal structure will be formulated, guiding research programs based on farmers' needs and market demands.

Farmer Registration and Digital Services

• Kisan ID Card: Farmer registration will be expedited, and the Kisan ID card will be linked with service concessions in the agricultural sector.
• Digital Services: Agricultural services and concessions will be digitized for transparency and accessibility.
• Small and Marginal Farmers Program: A program to honor small and marginal farmers will be implemented.

Biodiversity and Traditional Crops

• Biodiversity Campaign: A campaign will be conducted to protect, enhance, and utilize biological diversity in crops, livestock, and fisheries.
• Traditional and Nutritious Crops: Traditional and nutritious Raithane food crops will be expanded and commercialized.

Self-Sufficiency in Fruits and Livestock

• Fruit Nurseries and Plantations: The country will be made self-sufficient in fruits within five years through massive expansion of fruit nurseries and plantations.
• Tissue Culture Laboratory: A state-of-the-art laboratory will be established for plant production using tissue culture technology.
• Livestock and Fish Production: Full self-sufficiency in livestock and fish production will be achieved within two years.

Agricultural Resource Centers and Animal Hospitals

• Resource Centers: Centers will be established to produce advanced seeds, breeds, and other materials needed for agriculture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
• Animal Hospitals: Animal hospitals will be gradually built and operated at local levels in cooperation with the private sector.
• Disease Eradication: Efforts will be made to eradicate Choret disease within two years.

Himal Samriddhi Program

• Large Farms in Himalayan Region: The program will run large farms of sheep, goats, and other animals, as well as fruit and herb plantations, such as apples and walnuts, in the Himalayan region.

Irrigation Facilities and Water Management

• Irrigation Extension: Irrigation facilities will be extended to an additional 15,500 hectares of arable land in the next financial year.
• Integrated River Basin Program: The program will extend irrigation facilities to the arable terraces adjacent to rivers in hilly and mountainous areas.
• National Pride Projects: The construction of National Pride projects like Sikta, Babai, Rani Jamra Kularia, Mahakali III, Bheri-Babai Diversion, and Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion will be accelerated.
• New Irrigation Projects: Mechanized irrigation projects based on underground water sources will be started in Sarlahi, Rautahat, and Kailali districts.
• Karnali Irrigation Program: The "Integrated Karnali Irrigation Special Program" will be implemented in Karnali Province.
• Water Storage Ponds: Construction of water storage ponds will continue to recharge underground water and expand irrigation facilities.
• Irrigation System Maintenance: Priority will be given to the maintenance, rehabilitation, and management improvement of the comprehensive irrigation system.

Conclusion

Nepal's agricultural policy for the fiscal year 2081/082 focuses on enhancing production, ensuring food security, and promoting sustainability. Through strategic initiatives, modern technology adoption, and comprehensive support systems, the government aims to transform the agricultural sector into a robust and self-sufficient entity, fostering economic growth and improving the livelihoods of farmers across the country.