Prioritize agriculture and livestock sector

The Nepal Goat Farmers Federation has called for the government to prioritize the agriculture and livestock sector at the policy and program levels. The Federation has demanded the arrangement of farmer credit cards, subsidized loans, development of infrastructure, and a smooth supply of power for promoting agriculture and livestock enterprises. Federation Chairperson Prem Sagar Poudel expressed his confidence that the agro sector development was possible by assuring full dose of ‘Khoret (foot and mouth disease) and PPR vaccination service to goats, accidental insurance, training, social security, and incentive allowances. Federation’s treasurer Deepak Gautam said through 60 percent of the population involved in agriculture are doing goat farming, Indian goats are being increasingly imported due to the government’s apathy to bring effective policy for domestic goat farming. The stakeholders also complained that the insurance companies are indifferent to covering the livestock sector in insurance packages and providing delayed payments to the farmers.