Workshop on “Rice cultivation in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges”

• August 13, 2018

A half day workshop entitled “Rice Cultivation in Nepal: Opportunities and Challenges ” was jointly organized by Forest Action Nepal and FAYA Nepal on August 13, 2018 at Hotel Devotee, Dhangadhi. The main objective of the event was to discuss on the issues, opportunities and challenges of rice farming focusing its status on province 7 of Nepal. Honorable Minister Ms. Binita Chaudhary from Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Co-operative of Province 7 was the chief guest of the event. Honorable members of parliament, local representatives, farmers, media persons and stakeholders concerned with agriculture participated in the event. A presentation on “Rice Value Chain in Nepal ” was made by Ms. Sarada Thapa, ForestAction Nepal. Background of rice cultivation in Nepal, its import/export status, production/productivity, scenario of rice value chain in Nepal and its challenges and opportunities were highlighted in the presentation.

Presentation was followed by the open discussion. Major issues of rice farming raised and discussed are listed below:

• Loss of local and indigenous rice cultivars.
• Change in food habits.
• Decreased land and soil productivity.
• Subsidy allocated by government has not reached to the actual farmers.
• Promotion of organic rice farming as it reduces the cost of production and improves the productivity of soil.
• Technology such as SRI should be given emphasis.