Kathmandu, Apr. 27
Finance Minister Janardan Sharma
Prabhakar has directed agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Development (MoALD) to provide improved varieties of seeds to the farmers who
plant paddy in coming May-June.
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) held a
discussion with MoALD and its agencies including Nepal Agricultural Research
Council (NARC) and the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, and Nepal
Bureau of Standard and metrology under the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and
Supplies.
The discussion was focused on increasing
the production of paddy, operating quarantine in a well-managed way, and
standard certification.
During the discussion, FM Sharma said
that there was a pressure to reduce the growing import of rice from this year. "I
have been asking for two months to come up with a plan to distribute improved
paddy seeds to the farmers but you (staff of the MoALD) have not shown any
interest," he said.
He has directed them to come back for
the second round of discussion on Thursday with the list of improved varieties
of paddy seeds listed in Nepal, the importers, traders and the estimated data
on the increase in production from the use of improved varieties of seeds.
"If we use improved varieties of
seeds, we will produce at least three times more paddy this year. Let's not
delay in doing this," he said while pledging to provide grant money to
subsidise the cost of improved seeds on the part of the farmers.
"If you need a subsidy for improved
seeds, tell us how much money you need. We will give it. It is seen that rice
import can be reduced by billions by spending less money,” said the Finance Minister.
Agriculture Secretary Dr. Gobind Sharma
said that instructions have been given to bring the seeds of listed quality
after holding continuous discussions with the businessmen importing improved
varieties of seeds. He informed that the productivity of paddy is 3.5 tons per
hectare on an average.
Finance Secretary Madhu Kumar Marasini
said that entrepreneurs should be encouraged to import seeds.
Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 April 2022.
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