The importance of working together with the government, private sector, and development partners to build a sustainable food system in Nepal was highlighted by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav. Delivering a speech during the inauguration of the Nepal Food Forum-2024, which was co-organised with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization in Kathmandu on September 10 2024, Yadav noted that agriculture is crucial to Nepal's economy, but faces challenges such as climate change, low youth engagement, and low productivity.
He called for policies to address these issues and attract youth to the sector through innovation and modern technology. Yadav also highlighted the government's campaign, ‘Decade of Investment in Agriculture,’ aiming to boost investment in the sector. He urged the private sector to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term profits.
Minister for Agriculture Ramnath Adhikari acknowledged the sector's low budget allocation and its impact on productivity but assured plans to increase investment from both the government and private sector to enhance self-reliance in agriculture.Ken Shimizu, FAO representative for Nepal and Bhutan, stressed the importance of partnerships to promote sustainable agriculture through technological advancements.
Other speakers, including Kusum Devi Thapa and Deepak Kumar Kharal, echoed the need for modernization and commercialization of agriculture to ensure food security and boost its contribution to the nation’s GDP. Nepal's agricultural system was transformed through dialogue and collaboration at the forum, despite ongoing climate challenges.
