PRESS RELEASE BOOK LAUNCH : AGRICULTURAL TRANSFORMATION IN NEPAL: TRENDS, PROSPECTS AND POLICY OPTIONS
Press Release
Virtual Book Launch
Agricultural Transformation in Nepal: Trends, Prospects and Policy Options
November 11, 2020 New Delhi: Agriculture is a vital sector of Nepal’s economy; contributing about 29 percent to the country’s GDP; providing employment to about two-thirds of the working force and plays a significant role in poverty reduction. However, the sector’s performance over the past two and a half decades has been fragile. In the last 25 years the agriculture sector has faced both structural and new challenges. Despite these challenges, several new opportunities have emerged that could boost agricultural production and also help ensure the inclusion of smallholders in high-value agricultural production.
A virtual launch of the book, “Agricultural Transformation in Nepal: Trends, Prospects and Policy Options” was organized on November 11, 2020 by International Food Policy Research Institute – South Asia Regional Office (IFPRI-SAR) in collaboration with Institute for Integrated Development Studies (IIDS), Nepal.
The book covers a wide range of issues and presents policy options for the government and other stakeholders to address emerging challenges and to benefit from new opportunities. It also draws lessons for Nepal from the experiences of other countries such as India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, and South Africa. Thus, the book has important relevance for other countries in the region, especially with regards to the governance and institution, migration and remittances, dietary diversification, as well as addressing the challenges of agricultural mechanization in expediting transformation in agriculture.
“The International Food Policy Research Institute – South Asia Regional Office (IFPRI-SAR) has extensively worked in Nepal on a wide range of policy issues in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, Government of Nepal. The key outputs from this engagement have been published in a book, Agricultural Transformation in Nepal: Trends, Prospects and Policy Options,” said Shahidur Rashid, Director, IFPRI, South Asia. The book addresses some of the key strategic agricultural policy questions on major contemporary developments and emerging challenges in Nepal, he added.
“Nepal’s search for long-term sources of inclusive and green economic growth begins by revamping a long stagnant agricultural sector whose importance has been accentuated by the unprecedented Covid-19 rupture. This book’s arrival is aptly timed for renewed policy impetus in Nepal,” said Dr. Swarnim Wagle, Chairman, IIDS.
Many factors have contributed to the poor performance of agriculture, including inadequate delivery of technologies and support services to farmers, armed conflict, labour shortages in rural areas, political instability, and limited investment in agriculture from both public and private sectors. As a result, the agriculture sector has become less competitive in domestic and export markets.
“The book covers on issues leading to the changing role of agriculture with economic growth, structural transformation and poverty reduction, improvement in nutritional outcomes, as well as challenges of tackling climate change,” said Anjani Kumar, editor and Senior Research Fellow, IFPRI, South Asia.
“The findings published in the book aims to bridge the gap on lack of comprehensive evidence-based analytical research which can provide roadmaps for government and other stakeholders in formulating and implementing policies for Nepal’s agriculture sector. It analyzes structural and emerging challenges facing the sector and offers policy options for the future of Nepal’s agriculture,” said Ganesh Thapa, editor and Visiting Scientist, ICIMOD and former Regional Economist, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
“Nepal’s long-term food and nutrition security challenges can be addressed through increasing the growth rate of domestic cereals production which will enable to reduce dependence on import. Efforts should also be made to promote agricultural diversification through the production of high-value commodities,” said P.K Joshi editor and President, Agricultural Economics Research Association & former Director IFPRI, South Asia
Provincial governments should promote private extension service providers through capacity building and incentives to contribute to areas of commercial agriculture, input supply, agribusiness, and industries where the clientele is willing to share the cost of services as well.
Download press release here
Book synopsis here
Watch video recording of the book launch in the IFPRI SAR website here and IFPRI South Asia Facebook page here. Read more about the book here
To speak with book editors about the content please contact Rebika Laishram, Communications Specialist, IFPRI-South Asia r.laishram@cgiar.org
