Kathmandu. Kathmandu: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has released a list of challenges and possibilities for the development of agriculture sector in Karnali Province.
In the half-yearly report of the Economic Activities Study of Karnali Province published by the Rastra Bank, it has been pointed out that karnali, which is spread in the high hilly and mountainous region, has the potential as well as challenges in the agriculture sector. Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) has pointed out the need for effective coordination among the federal, state and local governments for the promotion of agriculture sector in Karnali and branding and marketing of agricultural produce.
Challenges in the agricultural sector
1. It is challenging to protect and market the indigenous and organic products of Karnali State including Marsi rice, chino, fapar, kodo, kaguno, kurilo, junello, latte, beans etc.
2. It is challenging to carry out policy, procedural and institutional reforms as per the need to enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture sector.
3. It is challenging to reduce the negative impact on public health by reducing the use of harmful pesticides, chemicals and antibiotics in agricultural and animal products.
4. Making the production, processing and marketing of agricultural and livestock products cost-effective, balancing the trade in the agricultural sector, making quality and hygiene regulation effective and making it profitable and competitive.
5. It is challenging to strengthen inter-government cooperation and coordination by making the investment and services of the federal, provincial and local levels more effective in order to become self-reliant by increasing the production of the agricultural sector.
Prospects of agriculture sector
1. There is a high possibility of increasing employment by developing agricultural enterprises in this sector if the price of agricultural produce is practical and easy market access is achieved.
2. There is a high possibility of increasing employment by developing agricultural enterprises by integrating the technical manpower of the growing agricultural sector with the modern agricultural system.
3. There is a possibility of creating employment by making the youth entrepreneurs by operating agriculture and herbal related industries as it is a storehouse of agricultural and herbal raw materials.
4. Commercial farmers producing organic ginger and turmeric in Salyan, Jajarkot, Rukum West and Surkhet districts are likely to get subsidy on the basis of production and distribution.
5. There is a high possibility of promoting sheep, shrimp and chauri rearing business in mountainous and high hilly areas. If animal husbandry is promoted in such areas, the production of wool, milk, chhurpi and meat will also increase. There is a possibility of commercial goat rearing and cattle rearing in other hilly districts.
6. There is a high potential for commercial apple, walnut cultivation in the mountainous districts including Jumla and other hilly districts of Dailekh, Surkhet, Kalikot and Salyan.
7. There is a possibility of overall economic development of the region by developing and expanding domestic, agricultural and forest produce-based industries within the province.
8. Since the maximum area of Karnali is still organic, there is a huge potential for high value and organic agriculture.
