Country to be fully self-dependent in agriculture in five years: Minister Bhusal

Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Ghanashyam Bhusal has underscored the need of operating agricultural enterprises through modern and scientific system by breaking the traditional system.

He said this while inaugurating the Rupandehi Fisheries, Agricultural and Maghi Festival, 2076 BS at Amuwa of Rupandehi district on Wednesday. He also asserted that the government has started taking steps in a planned manner for the protection of every sector in agriculture as it has become necessary.

Stating that plans and programmes would be brought for making the country self-reliant in agriculture in the coming five years, the Agriculture and Livestock Development Minister asserted that the government’s programmes would be focused in that direction from now onwards.

"The fish production has to be increased by 100 thousand metric tonnes annually. The way the people of Rupandehi are getting nutritious food like milk, egg, fish and meat, in the same way the people of Karnali should also have access to nutritious food. And the government is bringing a plan for achieving this," he added.

Member of the State 5 Assembly, Tulasi Prasad Chaudhary said it is unfortunate that the country is dependent on agricultural produce, stressing that all the three levels of government should prioritize on the promotion of agricultural enterprises.

President of Nepal Fisheries Federation, Ambika Prasad Adhikari urged the government to bring a fisheries policy for the promotion of this sector. He shared on the occasion that fish worth over Rs 5 billion was being imported from India per annum. Stating that the fish imported from India have been treated with formalin and therefore not healthy, he urged the government to immediately stop its import.

The festival is organised by Siyari, Sudhdhodan, Gaindahawa and Mayadevi rural municipalities will last for five days. It is said 1,500 farmers in Rupandehi district are totally engaged in fishery and fisheries cover 1,100 hectares area.

There are 45 stalls in the festival showcasing various agricultural implements, dishes of fish and other agriculture-related items. (Photo available)