Experts stress uplifting of agro sector

Kathmandu, Mar. 12

Experts and stakeholders have said that there is a need to improve the condition of agriculture and farmers to lift the country from the current economic situation by enhancing product and productivity.

Speaking at the 22^nd establishment day of Sana Kisan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited (SKBLBSL), a microfinance company, in Kathmandu on Saturday afternoon, they suggested that if the production and productivity of the agricultural sector is increased and attention is paid to the storage, processing and marketing of agricultural products, it will open an avenue for economic improvement and growth.

Shri Krishna Upadhyay, former chairman and CEO of Agriculture Development Bank Limited (ADBL), pointed out the need to pay attention not only to investment in the agricultural sector but also to marketing of the produce.

He emphasised that the government should identify such cooperatives and implement agricultural programmes to increase the enthusiasm of the farmers who are the members of agricultural cooperatives that have been doing exemplary work especially in rural areas.

"All the cooperatives don't have problems, they also have potential and have proven themselves to be successful, and the time has come to identify such cooperatives," he said while emphasizing that having same viewpoint for the cooperatives and microfinance is not appropriate and it should be corrected.

He said that the knowledge, skills, capital, technology and awareness provided by Sana Kisan Bikas Laghubitta to the member farmers through cooperatives have greatly contributed to the leadership development of the poor, backward classes, Dalits, minorities and women.

Likewise, Chairman of SKBLBSL, Khem Bahadur Pathak, expressed dissatisfaction with the analysis made considering the microfinance and cooperatives as the same.

He said that the propaganda that is going on saying that all sectors are wrong in treating the problem where there is a problem is having a negative effect on them. He clarified that Sana Kisan has been providing services to member farmers through Sana Kisan Cooperative and claimed that there is no problem in the microfinance as well as the cooperatives promoted by the company.

"Now this microfinance is providing its services through 1,459 partners small farmer agricultural cooperatives. There is no problem in the company and its network as stated in the market," said Pathak.

According to him, Sana Kisan has been focusing on improving the rural economy. They are working on the economic and social transformation of Rautes, Kusundas, Musahars, Bankariyas, Dalits, minorities and women who are left behind in the community.

While making it clear that there is no problem in the small farmer agricultural cooperatives run by the farmers with their participation, President Pathak expressed his commitment that they are ready to solve any such problem immediately.

Chairman Pathak claimed that small farmers have become a popular organization in villages for making poor farmers rich, bringing backward people to the mainstream, providing water, roads, sanitation, etc. through community activities.

Similarly, CEO of ADBL, Govinda Gurung, praised the role played by Sana Kisan in turning Nepal's farmers in remote areas into entrepreneurs. He pointed out the need to work more on motivating farmers to start production, processing, storage and connecting to the market.

He also emphasised the need to increase access of farmers to the SKBLBSL. He also said that by developing the capacity of the members, especially the youth, there is a possibility to create a good income environment in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry in Nepal.

CEO of the company Dr. Shivaram Prasad Koirala stressed that microfinance institutions should be evaluated on the basis of their performance. He claimed that the small farmer programme which has reached more than 1.07 million households in 76 districts of Nepal has been successful in improving the rural economy of Nepal.

According to him, the members of the company have started tea, milk, dairy, oil, rice and other enterprises individually and collectively through the cooperative.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 13 March 2023.