23rd March 2025, Kathmandu
Stakeholders in Nepal have underscored the critical role of agricultural mechanization in enhancing agricultural production and productivity. During the 9th Annual General Meeting of the Nepal Agricultural Machinery Entrepreneurs Association (NAMIA), held at Hotel Himalayan in Lalitpur, experts and leaders emphasized the transformative impact of mechanization on the agricultural sector.
NAMIA 9th AGM
Government’s Commitment to Agricultural Mechanization
Ramnath Adhikari, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, highlighted the importance of adopting advanced agricultural technologies to achieve prosperity in the sector. He praised NAMIA for its contributions to agricultural transformation and urged businesses to focus on importing essential machinery while also prioritizing domestic production of agricultural equipment.
Minister Adhikari assured that the government would actively support the modernization of Nepal’s agricultural system by promoting the use of technology and locally manufactured tools. He encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in agricultural machinery production, stating, “Beyond just business, it is now time to invest in agricultural machinery production as well.”
FNCCI Pledges Support for Agricultural Mechanization
Chandra Prasad Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), commended NAMIA’s efforts and pledged FNCCI’s support to facilitate agricultural mechanization. However, he raised concerns about the challenges in policy implementation, noting that poor execution of existing laws has hindered progress. Dhakal called on the government to address these issues effectively to ensure the sector’s growth.
Call for Domestic Manufacturing and Fair Taxation
Krishna Sharma, President of NAMIA, reiterated the association’s commitment to advancing agricultural mechanization in Nepal. He highlighted the initiatives undertaken in the fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/24) and described mechanization as the backbone of Nepal’s agricultural sector.
Anjan Shrestha, FNCCI Senior Vice President, pointed out that a significant portion of Nepal’s agricultural budget is spent on fertilizers. He stressed the need to establish domestic fertilizer factories to reduce reliance on imports. Shrestha also raised concerns about unfair customs duties on raw materials for agricultural machinery repair and production. He urged the government to revise VAT rates on agricultural equipment, noting that Nepal’s uniform VAT rate puts the agricultural sector at a disadvantage compared to India, which has differentiated rates.
Additionally, Shrestha emphasized the need to address the misuse of agricultural subsidies, suggesting that subsidies should be distributed based on production and productivity rather than other criteria.
Government’s Plans for Quality Control and Policy Reforms
Govinda Prasad Sharma, Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, acknowledged NAMIA’s contributions and noted that while agricultural mechanization in Nepal has seen significant quantitative growth over the past 15–20 years, qualitative improvements are still needed.
Secretary Sharma emphasized that reducing production costs while increasing output requires a strong focus on agricultural mechanization. He assured stakeholders that the government is working on revising agricultural mechanization policies, agricultural laws, and agricultural policies, which are now in the final stages. He also announced the establishment of a Machinery Testing Center in Nawalpur to ensure the quality of imported agricultural equipment.
Recognition and Awards
The event also recognized individuals for their contributions to the agricultural sector:
Outstanding Farmer Awards were presented to Pahadi Tharu from Bardiya and Rubiya Chaudhary from Dang.
Outstanding Journalism Awards were given to Sunita Sitoula (Setopati.com) and Gopal Ale Magar (Krishi Patrika) for their contributions to agricultural journalism.
The Highest Taxpayer Award for FY 2080/81 was presented to JP Ghimire, Director of Kuber & Sons.
NAMIA’s Role in Agricultural Transformation
Established in 2071 B.S., the Nepal Agricultural Machinery Entrepreneurs Association (NAMIA) has been a driving force in promoting agricultural mechanization. With over 440 members, including manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and workshop operators, NAMIA has created a diverse and inclusive network to advance the sector.
Krishna Sharma, President of NAMIA, emphasized the association’s mission to support entrepreneurs by promoting innovative machinery, modern technologies, and skill development. He highlighted NAMIA’s collaboration with the government and development partners to improve policies and create better opportunities for mechanization, benefiting both farmers and entrepreneurs.
Conclusion
The event concluded with a renewed commitment from both the government and private sector to promote agricultural mechanization and enhance Nepal’s agricultural productivity. By focusing on domestic manufacturing, fair taxation, and policy reforms, Nepal is poised to transform its agricultural sector, ensuring sustainable growth and food security for the future.
Join NAMIA in modernizing Nepal’s agriculture and building a stronger future for the sector. Explore their initiatives and be part of the agricultural transformation!
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