Sustainable agricultural growth is critical to ensure food and nutrition security in a country like Nepal. Agriculture still contributes about one-third to the country’s GDP and provides direct livelihood to two-thirds of its population. However, the agriculture sector faces several challenges in Nepal, which includes low productivity, high instability, shocks due to climate change, lack of adequate infrastructure and investment. This conference is being organized to address the challenges and explore possible options for sustainable and accelerated agriculture growth.
Inaugural Session (09:30-10:55)
Chief Guest
Honourable Haribol Prasad Gajurel, Minister of Agriculture, GoN
Chairperson
Bishwambher Pyakuryal, NEA
P K Joshi, IFPRI, Welcome and Workshop Background (09:30-09:40)
Honourable Haribol Prasad Gajurel, Minister of Agriculture, GoN, Inaugural Address (09:40-9:50)
Shenggen Fan, IFPRI, Launch of IFPRI’s Global Food Policy Report (9:50-10:20)
Belay Mengistu, USAID, Comments on IFPRI’s Global Food Policy Report (10:20-10:30)
Bishwambher Pyakuryal, NEA, Remarks by the Chair (10:30-10:40)
B. D. Pant, IIDS, Vote of Thanks (10:40-10:45)
*Group Photo and High-Tea* (10:45-11:15)
Session I: Challenges and Opportunities for Accelerating Agricultural Growth in Nepal (11:15-13:50)
Chairperson
Uttam Kumar Bhattarai, MoAD, GoN
Co-Chairperson
MJH Jabed, SAARC
Ganesh Raj Joshi, CIAA, GoN, Accelerating Agricultural Productivity Growth in Nepal: Issues and Opportunities (11:15-11:35)
Swarnim Wagle, Former Member of National Planning Commission, Structural Transformation in Nepal: Implications for Polices and Strategies for Sustainable Growth (11:35-11:55)
Madhu Dixit Devkota, Tribhuvan University, Food and Nutrition Security in Nepal: Trends, Challenges and Prospects (11:55-12:15)
Praduman Kumar, IARI, Trends and Patterns of Food Consumption in Nepal (12:15-12:35)
Bishwambher Pyakuryal, NEA, Public Investment in Nepal: Implications for Agricultural Growth (12:35-12:55)
Discussant’s Remarks (12:55-13:10)
Prithvi Raj Ligal, Former Member of National Planning Commission
Champak Pokhrel, Former Member of NPC
Open Discussion (13:10-13:40)
Remarks by the Chair and Co-Chair