Lawmakers urge govt to address problems facing farmers

KATHMANDU: Lawmakers have urged the government to address problems facing farmers across the country immediately.

During the meeting of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, lawmakers from various political parties highlighted issues such as delayed payments, shortage of fertilizers, cuts in subsidies and the lack of proper markets for agricultural produce. Stating that these challenges have left farmers increasingly frustrated, they called for immediate government intervention to facilitate farmers.

Ram Prakash Chaudhary of Loktantrik Samajbadi Party (LSP) Nepal said people in Madhesh have not received any support even though the federal and provincial governments have declared eight districts of Madhesh Province as a disaster-hit region. “Insufficient rainfall this year is expected to affect paddy production in Madhesh. Increasing reliance on tube wells for irrigation has increased their investment,” Chaudhary said, urging the government to waive off electricity bills for the three months of monsoon for people in Madhesh.

Similarly, Ganga Ram Chaudhary of Nagarik Unmukti Party drew attention to the plight of sugarcane and dairy farmers. He urged the government to address the demands of dairy and sugarcane farmers. “Farmers are suffering due to fertilizer shortages. The government should ensure that the Food Management and Trading Company buys paddy directly from farmers,” he said.

Independent lawmaker Dr Amresh Kumar Singh also criticized the government for neglecting the concerns of sugarcane farmers. “The government has provided neither fertilizers nor subsidies. Farmers are not getting fair prices for their produce. Both dairy and sugarcane farmers are on the streets because of this,” he said. “The government must set fair prices for farm products and create an environment that encourages farmers.”

Similarly, Damodar Poudel Bairagi of CPN-UML said that recent agreements between Nepal and China on cooperation in agriculture, education and disaster management, as well as on strengthening bilateral friendship, have sent a positive message.