National 1 (Spotlight Weekly)

Farm Support

The expo is aimed at building awareness on the importance of agriculture

By NIRAJ POUDYAL

Vegetable vendors : Need to expand agro-market

Although agriculture is the leading source of livelihood, national income, raw materials and revenue, it is the most backward sector of the economy. In the last 10 years, the growth rate of agricultural production has clustered around 2.5 percent. Even though 80 percent of the total population depends on agriculture, 38 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) comes from the sector, little has been done in terms of modernization. Agriculture has further declined in the last year due to devastating national and international factors.

One of the major obstacles to achieving a higher growth rate in agricultural production is the lack of proper marketing facilities and the long distance between farmers and the market. Because of lack of free, fair and competitive markets, farmers are unable to exploit the opportunities properly. Consumers, on the other hand, are not able to improve their power of choice. A small number of middlemen are enjoying huge profits by exploiting farmers and consumers. Each year, farmers face low support prices while consumers pay more to retailers.

Keeping these incongruities in mind, the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)/Agro Enterprises Center (AEC) has decided to organize an agro- and forest-based product and flower exhibition, "Agroexpo 2002", with the support of co-organizer Floriculture Association Nepal (FAN) and the assistance of Kathmandu Exhibitions at Birendra International Convention Center, New Baneshwor.

FAN has been organizing a separate Floriculture Trade Fair for the last ten years. But this year, FAN and AEC have agreed to organize a joint expo with separate compartments on the exhibition. Flowers will cover 30 stalls.

Since the liberalization of the economy in Nepal, many expos for industrial products have been organized each year. "But this kind of agriculture expo is first time in Nepal," said Ravi Bhakta Shrestha, president of the FNCCI, at a press conference. "We have given more emphasis to the cooperation of farmers, entrepreneurs and the government," he added.

"Economic Prosperity through Agriculture" is the slogan of the exhibition. It was also informed that 90 percent of the total stalls have already been booked and five stalls are reserved for new products. The FNCCI has constructed a 1,200 square meter temporary dome, which can be used for about 90 stalls. "The main aim of the expo will be to inform farmers and sellers about the latest innovations in marketing and let the visitors share their experiences," said Shrestha.

Organizers expect products like seeds, flowers, honey, tea, coffee, unseasoned vegetables, milk and its products, fruits, herbs and silk, among others, to be of attraction for the visitors. "We want to tell the people that there are people in Mustang who produce honey of international quality and farmers in Ilam who produce world-class tea and coffee," said Shrestha.

The organizers said separate tea and coffee days would be announced soon. Some 30,000 people are expected to visit the expo, they said.