Kathmandu, April 3, 2025 – As Nepal prepares to implement its Agricultural Policy 2081, discussions among policymakers, activists, and farmers have intensified, emphasizing the need for a more sustainable, organic, and farmer-friendly approach. A public interaction program organized by the Food for Agriculture Campaign today brought together key stakeholders, including members of parliament, government officials, agricultural experts, and farmers, to scrutinize the draft policy currently under review in the parliamentary committee.
Farmers and Experts Criticize Gaps in the Policy
The discussion highlighted several concerns raised by activists and farmer organizations, particularly regarding the lack of adequate provisions for climate change adaptation, land management, agricultural education, and protection of small and women farmers. Many expressed frustration over the deteriorating relationship between farmers and the government since the implementation of federalism, stressing the urgency of restoring direct engagement with policymakers.
MP Mina Tamang underscored the importance of transitioning towards organic farming and called for policy frameworks tailored to Nepal’s diverse climatic conditions. She also pointed out inefficiencies in the market system, which have left the country without reliable production data.
Similarly, MP Suryakumari Shrestha urged the Ministry of Agriculture to conduct region-specific soil studies and provide farmers with necessary agricultural knowledge. She emphasized the creation of employment opportunities in the sector to curb youth migration and called for urgent government action to mitigate agricultural losses caused by wildlife encroachment.
MP Ashok Chaudhary advocated for a farmer-centric policy, urging the government to stand with farmers rather than corporations. He called for the establishment of a national seed laboratory to reduce dependence on imported hybrid seeds and proposed the formation of a land bank to ensure food security through effective land use policies.
Push for Organic Fertilizers and Native Seeds
A key issue raised during the discussion was Nepal’s excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers and foreign hybrid seeds. According to Uddhav Adhikari, Coordinator of the Food for Agriculture Campaign, Nepal spends over three billion rupees annually on seed imports, predominantly from multinational corporations. He argued that this dependency undermines Nepal’s agricultural sovereignty and called for a shift towards indigenous, climate-resilient seed varieties.
Adhikari criticized the over-reliance on chemical fertilizers, which consume nearly half of the agricultural budget, leaving little room for investment in other critical areas of agricultural development. He urged the government to harness Nepal’s rich biodiversity and forests to produce organic fertilizers rather than continuing with expensive and environmentally harmful imports.
Concerns Over Policy Ambiguity and Implementation
Dr. Krishna Poudel, an agricultural activist, pointed out that Nepal’s agricultural policies have often been ambiguous and inconsistent, leading to ineffective implementation. He emphasized that traditional farming alone cannot address future food security challenges, and the policy must incorporate modern, sustainable agricultural practices. He also expressed frustration over the delayed policy formation, noting that plans for a new agricultural policy began in 2077 BS but remain incomplete even in 2081 BS.
Government Acknowledges Challenges but Promises Reforms
Speaking at the program, Ramkrishna Shrestha, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, acknowledged the complexity of policy formulation, citing difficulties in balancing soil conservation, sustainable farming, and productivity growth. He emphasized that the policy aims to gradually reduce chemical inputs while promoting environmentally friendly agriculture.
Path Forward: Towards a Farmer-Centric and Sustainable Agriculture Policy
Following extensive discussions, parliamentary committee members expressed support for many of the campaign’s recommendations. They assured that future parliamentary sessions will incorporate key concerns raised during the program.
Panchakaji Shrestha, President of the National Farmers’ Group Federation, stressed the need to classify arable land based on geography to ensure region-specific agricultural planning. He also proposed integrating agriculture into formal education to attract young people to farming.
As the discussion concluded, activists and stakeholders reiterated the need for continuous advocacy to ensure that the final Agricultural Policy 2081 prioritizes the interests of small-scale farmers, women, and marginalized agricultural workers.
The event, attended by members of parliament, political leaders, government officials, journalists, activists, and students, was facilitated by Sujata Tamang and Tika Bhattarai from the Food for Agriculture Campaign.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment for Nepal’s Agriculture
With the Agricultural Policy 2081 still under parliamentary review, today’s discussion signals a defining moment for Nepal’s agricultural future. The push for organic farming, farmer-centric policies, and reduced dependence on foreign inputs could mark a significant shift towards a more sustainable and self-sufficient agricultural sector. However, whether these recommendations will be effectively implemented remains to be seen.
