Suitable agriculture policies for users sought

RSS

KATHMANDU, Aug. 28: Increasing productivity of the agriculture sector is a subject of priority in every five-year plan but so far only 20 per cent of the arable land in the country enjoy irrigation facilities for 12 months a year and so in order to increase the reach of irrigation, the national irrigation policy has become more effective, say experts concerned.

Participants of the second national council convention organised by the National Irrigation Water Users' Federation Nepal here on Monday said agricultural production declined to 38 per cent as a result of shortcomings in the government's agriculture and irrigation policies.

They also expressed concern over Nepal becoming import-oriented when it had been exporting cereals a few years ago.

Experts at the programme stressed the need to give emphasis on quality fertilisers and seeds as well as irrigation in order to increase agricultural productivity in the country in which more than 83 per cent of the population depend on agriculture and above 42 per cent live below the poverty line.

Earlier, inaugurating the programme, Minister of State for Water Resources Narayan Sharma Poudel said as the Maoist terrorists have destroyed the physical infrastructure constructed to help increase agricultural productivity and harness water resources, the civil society and water users should unite against it.

He also expressed hope that important suggestions and recommendations would be made by the National Council for the Development of Agriculture Sector and Utilisation of Water Resources in the country.

Former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission Dr. Mohan Man Sainju said the government should introduce agriculture and irrigation policies suitable for the users.

From the chair, the Federation president Tikaram Dahal called for prompt action on behalf of the government to resolve the problems facing the water users.

Central representative of Nepal Sadbhavana Party Khusilal Mandal, ICIMOD water expert Mandira Shrestha, general secretary of the Federation Padma Prasad Aryal and other speakers also pointed out the need to make improvements in the existing traditional irrigation system.