Impacts of COVID-19 on economy could be reduced from agriculture: PM Oli
Kathmandu - Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has said that the impacts of COVID-19 on economy could be reduced from productivity and production growth in agriculture. In a message today on the occasion of the 17th National Paddy Day, the PM said that it was necessary to concentrate on production growth of agricultural products by maintaining balance between the soli and crops.
PM Oli has also urged for maximum utilization of lands without keeping them barren and farming for the best outputs as per the principle of utilization. "This does not mean that paddy planting is needed in all farms. Paddy should be planted where there is high returns and other crops could be grown on other lands. But the particular crop should yield maximum," the PM said in his message.
Saying that ensuring basic food security for the citizens was the welfare state's responsibility, PM Oli stated that the country has already issued the Right to Food and Food Sovereignty Act, 2018 for the implementation of the citizens' fundamental right on food as mentioned in our constitution.
On the occasion, PM has further stated that our national commitment to bring about good results on the status of food and nutrition was understandable through the implementation of the agriculture development strategy. Saying that paddy carries economic, social and cultural significance in Nepali society since long back, PM Oli mentioned that paddy has a very close relation with our life system.
PM Oli has also expressed his concerns for huge amount of expenses for the imports of rice from the international markets in the recent years due to our failure to meet the rising demand for rice, thanks to population growth as well as people's increased economic status. "This has even increased the country's dependency.
Considering the fact, the government of Nepal has implemented policies and plans with top priority for sustainable food security in the country by increasing production of paddy crop," according to the PM. Furthermore, the PM has reaffirmed the government's commitment to expansion of irrigation supplies, research and development of paddy crop, quality seeds in subsidized rate, provision of fertilizer, technology expansion and technical assistance to the farmers.
In his message, PM Oli has urged the State and local governments to join hands together for successful implementation of the government's policies on agriculture and food security. The PM was of the view that development and growth of agriculture sector was the backbone to materialize our national commitment to 'Prosperous Nepal, Happy Nepalis' while laying emphasis on modernization, commercialization and mechanization of agriculture.
