'Agro-commodity import indicate a potential in agri-production'

Kathmandu, Jan 13: Surging imports of agricultural commodities indicate a tremendous potential for Nepal to expand agricultural production, said policymakers, agri-business entrepreneurs and agriculture sector experts.

Revamp of critical interventions is needed for the deployment of productivity-enhancing technologies, experts said at a discussion on ‘Enabling environment for agricultural technology innovation and adoption: Policy, legislation and practice’.

Member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Prabhu Budhathoki said that the policy interventions aimed at improving the uptake of technology appeared to be driven more by the interest of bureaucrats rather than farmers’ needs.

“While participatory methods are much more productive, government-supported training programmes largely exclude farmers,” he added.

Toya Narayan Gyawali, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, pointed to the massive agricultural imports, exceeding one billion rupees each in over two dozen commodities.

He highlighted the importance of technological learning in inducing participation in regional and global value chains.

Dr. Hari Krishna Uprety, Communication and Publication Chief, Nepal Agricultural Research Council, said that land consolidation, which is currently low, is key to commercialized agriculture.

Dr Krishna Prasad Pant, agricultural economist, identified poorly trained extension services workers as a major impediment to dissemination of technologies among farmers.

Neelu Thapa, programme coordinator at SAWTEE, argued that a credible mapping of existing agricultural value chains is crucial for farmers’ access to credit.

Stating that Nepal’s agricultural exports are being hindered by safety standards and requirements in key markets, she emphasized the urgent need to upgrade domestic testing and certification facilities.

Speakers also highlighted the role of training and awareness-raising programmes, currently few and far between, in enabling farmers to use agriculture mechanization tools.

 The event was organized by South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics and Environment (SAWTEE) and Winrock International.