Go local

The government must create a support system for local farmers rather than continue to import agro products.

Despite a 15.63 percent drop in overall imports owing to pandemic-induced restrictions, Nepal's imports of agricultural products continue to grow, totalling Rs250 billion in the fiscal year 2019-20. With this, the share of agro products reaches 21 percent of the total imports. Cereals top the list at Rs56.88 billion, almost a fifth of the total agriculture import bill. Rice and maize form a bulk of the cereal imports, at Rs22.23 billion and Rs14.75 billion respectively. The products that follow cereals include edible oil, vegetables, fruits and nuts and seeds. Nepal spent Rs14.75 billion on animal fodder. The country continues to spend Rs14.75 billion on animal fodder and millions more on things as rudimentary as flowers.