Janakpurdham, Dhanusha, Nepal – On 2081-12-08, a high-level consultation meeting was convened at the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture & Cooperative, Janakpurdham, Dhanusha. The meeting was chaired by Ram Kumar Mahato, Board Member of the Nepal Agricultural Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL), with Dr. Umesh Dahal, Secretary of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture & Cooperative, as the chief guest.
The meeting brought together 23 key officials from various agricultural sectors such as crop development, soil science, plant protection, veterinary services, and fisheries. The objective of the consultation was to review the progress of family farming initiatives and discuss policy frameworks aimed at strengthening sustainable agricultural practices (Land and agriculture).
Ms. Meena Pokhrel, Member Secretary of the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming Nepal / Acting general manager of NACCFL provided a comprehensive briefing on the progress of family farming initiatives in Nepal. She highlighted key accomplishments, ongoing activities, and future strategic directions to enhance the role of family farmers in the national agricultural landscape. Likewise, as part of the Challenge Fund activities, a preliminary draft document outlining existing policies, laws, and regulations related to land and agriculture was submitted to the Secretary of the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture & Cooperative. This draft serves as a foundation for reviewing and refining legislative frameworks to better support sustainable land management and agricultural development. Stakeholders were invited to provide feedback, ensuring a participatory approach to policy enhancement.
Dr. Umesh Dahal, Secretary of the Ministry, acknowledged the significant contributions made by the Secretariat of the United Nations Decade of Family Farming. He emphasized that their efforts have greatly benefited small farmers and expressed the ministry’s commitment to future cooperation and coordination in supporting family farming initiatives.
The consultation meeting facilitated constructive discussions, underscoring the need for inclusive and coordinated efforts to promote family farming. The insights and recommendations generated from this engagement will play a pivotal role in shaping future agricultural policies and strengthening the resilience of family farmers in Nepal.