Ministry Finalizes Proposal for Wheat Support Price, Sends to Commerce Ministry for Cabinet Review

Kathmandu. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has completed all procedures to set the support price for wheat this year and has sent the proposal to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. To ensure a fair price for farmers, the ministry had prepared a report after conducting on-site studies in ten different districts through the Department of Agriculture.

During the study, the department analyzed the cost of wheat production, including seeds, fertilizers, labor, inflation, and market prices, and proposed a minimum support price based on the cost of production. Prakash Kumar Sanjel, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, informed that based on the recommendation sent to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for scientific pricing after the on-site study by the department's team, coordination will be made with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies for further discussion.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development will submit the proposal to the Council of Ministers through the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Supplies. Last fiscal year, 2081/82, the support price for wheat was set at NPR 3,867 per quintal.

In the fiscal year 2080/81, the support price for wheat was NPR 3,650 per quintal. In the fiscal year 2079/80, the price was maintained at NPR 3,351. The price is determined by increasing the amount slightly each year.

The Council of Ministers will set the price after all procedures are completed. Mahananda Joshi, Information Officer for the Ministry, stated that the price set in this manner will be officially published. It is reported that wheat will be purchased through the Food Management and Trading Company Limited at the price set by the government.