Kathmandu, January 5

National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina has accused local levels of failing to protect arable land.

He stressed the need to stop plotting and expansion of human settlements to protect arable land.

"Arable land has been shrinking. Plotting of arable land is also increasing," he said. He emphasised the need for cooperatives to start collective farming.

Speaking at the 15th annual general assembly of Nepal Agriculture Cooperative Central Association Limited here today, he reasoned that trade deficit could decrease by increasing agriculture entrepreneurship through collective farming.

"Patent registration should take place for production of agricultural and other products produced at home," he said. "To make agricultural produce export-oriented, there is need to increase organic products with participation of experts and use of technologies in agriculture, he argued. He also underscored the need to make farmer-friendly laws.

NACCAL Chair Khem Bahadur Pathak put forth demands for resolution of problems such as shortage of fertilisers and seeds, and lack of irrigation and agriculture technologies facing farmers. He also expected the government to do the needful to build an agriculture training and research centre.

A version of this article appears in the print on January 6, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.