Government Allocates Rs 46.92 Billion for Agriculture, Raises Fertiliser Budget to Rs 32.46 Billion

Kathmandu — Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has announced various plans and allocations for the agriculture development and land management sector through the budget.

Wagle said the allocation for chemical fertiliser purchases has been increased to Rs 32.46 billion this fiscal year. He said a fertiliser supply calendar will be prepared to ensure smooth distribution during the planting season for major food crops.

The Finance Minister said Rs 2.07 billion has been allocated for the National Agriculture Modernisation Programme.

He said the farmer identification work will be completed in the upcoming fiscal year and the distribution of identity cards begun. To use unutilised government land — including cultivable reclaimed riverbeds — and fallow land, land banks will be established at the local level and the private sector encouraged to carry out "agro-pooling."

Wagle said mango processing centres will be set up in Siraha and Saptari and a tomato processing centre in Sarlahi. In Karnali, fruit zones for apples and walnuts will be operated and the establishment of cold storage centres advanced.

The Finance Minister said unused cultivable private land will be encouraged to be converted into shares of commercial agricultural companies to operate agriculture and livestock farms.

He said Rs 360 million has been allocated to transfer conditional grants to local governments to promote organic and green manure.

Wagle said a green urea fertiliser industry will be allowed to operate under a company model in collaboration between the Nepal Electricity Authority and the private sector. To promote green urea production by the private sector, arrangements will be made to sign purchase guarantee agreements and provide electricity at subsidised rates.

The Finance Minister said Rs 2.19 billion has been allocated for the subsidy on agricultural insurance premiums.

He said warehouse receipt financing will be arranged on the basis of certified storage of agricultural produce, to provide farmers with financial access and manage cash flow.

Wagle said vaccines needed to control livestock and poultry diseases and epidemics will be produced domestically with private sector participation. Rs 240 million has been allocated to control diseases including foot-and-mouth disease.

The Finance Minister said an animal quarantine facility will be established at the border point in Hilsa, Humla.

He said integrated land administration services will be launched from thirty-five municipalities. To ease the buying and selling of real estate, land ownership identification numbers will be issued, and the freezing and release, buying and selling of property, and revenue payments will be done through an online system.

Wagle said the management of landless Dalits, landless squatters, and unmanaged settlers will be arranged to be completed within the upcoming fiscal year.

The Finance Minister said a total of Rs 46.92 billion has been allocated for agriculture and livestock development.