Source::RSS
RSS
Kathmandu
Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli said that the impact of COVID-19 on the economy could be reduced by 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 a balance between the soil and crops. PM Oli has also urged for maximum utilization of land 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.
Stating that that ensuring basic food security for 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.
On the occasion, PM Oli further stated that our national commitment to 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 expressed concern about the huge amount of import 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.
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 urged State and local governments to join hands for successful implementation of government policies on agriculture and food security.
The PM was of the view that development and growth of the 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.
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