Kathmandu, May 1. According to the Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr. Beduram Bhusal, a significant amount of cultivable land, around 1.3 million hectares, is left unused in Nepal. The Minister emphasized the need to use this land for increasing agricultural production and announced that forthcoming policies and budgets will provide incentives to farmers.

In a program organized by the All Nepal Peasants’ Federation, Minister Bhusal stated that although agriculture is the backbone of the national economy, the sector has been ignored due to multiple problems. Out of the total budget allocated to the Agriculture Ministry, a large portion is spent on chemical fertilizers, leaving very little for the development of the agriculture sector.

He stressed the importance of providing timely access to chemical fertilizers, seeds, irrigation, tools, and infrastructure to maximize agricultural benefits. He also expressed the government’s commitment to food sovereignty and shared that regulations in this regard were in progress.

The Chairman of the Association, Balram Banskota, stated that the development of agriculture is a prerequisite for the country’s development, while the leader of the peasant movement, Bhairav Regmi, expressed hope that the government would address the 62-point demand submitted by the Association to ensure the rights of peasants.