Israel is Positive About Bringing Agricultural Technology to Nepali Farmers: Israeli Ambassador to Nepal

Israeli Ambassador to Nepal, Shmulik Arie Bass, stated that Israel is always positive about transferring the necessary agricultural technology and knowledge for the transformation of Nepal's agriculture.

During a discussion at the Nepal Agricultural Cooperative Central Federation Ltd. (NACCFL) central office in Dhobighat, Lalitpur, with federation chairman Khem Bahadur Pathak and senior management, Ambassador Bass expressed his deep appreciation for the agricultural efforts of young Nepali farmers who had returned from Israel under the "Learn and Earn" program. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to continuing this initiative.

He highlighted that implementing Israel’s advanced agricultural technology in Nepal could significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods. The ambassador also praised NACCFL's efforts in promoting agriculture and livestock businesses via rural small farmers.

Strengthening Small Farmers through Agricultural Entrepreneurship

Recalling the "Learn and Earn" program, Ambassador Bass commended the dedication and hard work of Nepali farmers and mentioned that he had visited various agribusiness ventures started by returning farmers. Seeing many people benefiting from this program made him very happy.

Ambassador Bass also acknowledged the role of Small Farmer Agriculture Cooperatives Ltd. (SFACLs) in uplifting marginalized communities, including Dalits, endangered groups, and minorities, through agricultural entrepreneurship. He affirmed Israel’s strong support for continuing the "Learn and Earn" program and emphasized further collaboration in the agricultural sector through NACCFL and SKBBL.

Knowledge Sharing and Technical Collaboration

Additionally, he discussed initiating knowledge-sharing sessions between Israeli and Nepali farmers via Zoom meetings. Addressing contemporary issues, he clarified that there is no major conflict in Israel at present and that the situation is becoming increasingly favorable for Nepali students seeking higher education there.

Strengthening Agricultural Training and Research in Nepal

During the discussion, NACCFL Chairman Khem Bahadur Pathak expressed gratitude for the Israeli Embassy’s support for small farmers. He also requested modifications and continuity of the "Learn and Earn" program. He emphasized that agricultural programs would be more effective if implemented through NACCFL, as it works directly with small farmers rather than government agencies.

Chairman Pathak suggested revising the age and educational requirements of the "Learn and Earn" program to make it more sustainable and impactful. He requested Ambassador Bass to advocate for Israeli government support in introducing innovative agricultural technologies to Nepali farmers.

Furthermore, he informed the ambassador about NACCFL’s ongoing efforts to enhance and expand its Training and Research Center in Chitwan, which aims to provide both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to farmers. He sought support for upgrading the training and research center to benefit more farmers.

Commitment to Agricultural Transformation

Praising Israel’s advancements in agricultural transformation through technology, Chairman Pathak reiterated NACCFL’s commitment to continuously improving the training center so that all Nepali farmers could learn from a single platform.

During the meeting, NACCFL’s Acting General Manager, Meena Pokhrel, presented an overview of NACCFL and its positive impact on small farmers in agriculture and livestock. She also outlined potential future collaborations between Israel and NACCFL.

The discussion was attended by Janan Bebar, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy, as well as program managers, administrators, and staff members of NACCFL.

This strategic partnership between Israel and Nepal’s agricultural sector is expected to bring modern farming techniques, high-yield technologies, and capacity-building programs to Nepali farmers, helping them enhance productivity and improve their livelihoods.