Experts hold discussion on agriculture development strategy

The Ministry of Agriculture and Development, with financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and eleven development partners discussed the vision and policy options for the government’s planned Agricultural Development Strategy (ADS) at a workshop held in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The workshop was chaired by vice chairman of National Planning Commission (NPC) Dipendra Bahadur Kshetry, and attended by former Prime Minister of New Zealand, James Bolger, Finance secretary Krishna Hari Baskota and representatives of other government agencies, academic institutes, farmer organisations, civil society organisations, and development partners, according to ADB.

“The government recognises the importance of transforming agriculture. The ADS study has identified potentials for the country’s agriculture to achieve much higher productivity, competitiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability while making it more resilient to climate change impacts.

The discussions during the workshop have brought the government, stakeholders including farmer organisations, and development partners closer to shaping a viable strategy for the sector,” ADB press statement quoted its country director for Nepal Kenichi Yokoyama as saying.

“Successful reforms require enthusiastic supporters and champions to drive the process forward. From my discussion and observation I am satisfied that there is the necessary enthusiasm and commitment at high political level across all political parties to carry the reform process forward. Over the next months the ADS must develop a detailed strategic plan to translate political commitment into effective implementation. The plan must reflect the highly diverse opportunities and needs across the country from lowland Terai to the high Himalayas,” said James Bolger, former Prime Minister of New Zealand on the occasion.

The ADS currently being developed by the government, aims to guide the process of agricultural transformation over the next 20 years through increasing labour and land productivity while promoting exports, reads the statement.

“Initiated in April 2011, the ADS has so far completed thorough sector assessments, and drafted a sector vision and policy options, which were discussed during the workshop. On the basis of these, a comprehensive strategy and implementation plan will be developed by March 2013.” ADB added. nepalnews.com