Agriculture pillar of economic transformation: Minister Dr Mahat

Kathmandu, Feb 17: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has said agriculture is a foundational pillar of economic transformation.

“Before establishment of loktantra, debates focused on politics, while after new constitution, the debate shifted to economic issues,” he viewed. Minister Mahat said it while addressing a seminar on ‘Bases of economic transformation in Nepal: Good Governance, energy, agriculture, tourism, and labour and employment’ organized by BP Thoughts Foundation here Saturday.

Agriculture is essential for economic transformation, he reiterated, adding Nepal’s agriculture sector therefore deserves result-oriented investment. Self-reliant agriculture helps propel national economy, he underlined.

Modern agriculture with adoption of technology results in increased production. For it to happen, identification of geographically suitable crops is imperative, Minister Mahat reminded.

He however argued energy, tourism and technology are other pillars to ensure economic prosperity.

The Finance Minister was of the view that in a democratic socialism, private sectors could be promoted as leadership of production, while government’s role would be monitoring whether the distribution is just. Government facilitates and reinforces private sectors, he assured.

Expert on agriculture value chain, Dr Badri Bastakoti, emphasized availability of irrigation, commercialization of agriculture, and guarantee of investment are prerequisite to elevate status of Nepal’s agriculture. “Compared to the past, there is change in agriculture, but the change is yet to meet expected reform. So, collective efforts of all three-tiers of government are must to ensure expected results in agricultural system,” he viewed.

Former chair of Nepal Farmers’ Association, Dr Bhanu Bhakta Sigdel, suggested sticking to BP’s ideology of socialism with agriculture in foundation. Investment should be increased in this sector, he added.

Similarly, former executive officer at Nepal Tourism Board, Dhananjay Regmi, underscored the need of reinforcing Nepal’s diplomatic relations to boost tourism.

The two-day seminar whetted debates on the issues including energy and good governance.