Nepal’s Agriculture at a Crossroads

The sharp rise in imports of both rice and paddy, which increased by 46 percent in just four months, signals a serious problem. This is not merely the result of a poor monsoon season but the combined impact of climate fluctuations, floods, and a lack of preparedness, which have left Nepal’s food sector highly vulnerable. The country is now more reliant on imports than ever before, highlighting the urgent need for a transformation in agricultural policy. Chronic underinvestment in irrigation, post-harvest handling, and timely policy interventions has left farmers regularly facing losses, with government action often coming only after the damage has occurred. Between mid-July and mid-November, Nepal imported rice and paddy worth Rs 10.18 billion, a significant rise from Rs 6.96 billion during the same period last year, equivalent to 185,198 tons of produce. Reports attribute the increase in imports to declining farm output and significant damage caused by unpredictable rainfall patterns. Even a three percent fluctuation in domestic production can have a major impact given the country’s existing dependency on imports.