Importance of Agriculture in Nepal (Essay)

Essay: Importance of Agriculture in Nepal

Over 66% of the population of Nepal is involved in agriculture. The Nepalese economy is completely dominated by agriculture. Activities like cultivation, animal rearing, fishery, etc. are some agricultural activities. Agriculture should be promoted because it supports the economic development of the nation.

First, agriculture is the main source of raw materials for agro-based industries. Agricultural products are required as raw materials to prepare food items. For example, raw materials such as grain-floor, sugarcane, tea leaves, are utilized to manufacture noodles, sugar, and tea respectively. Another type of raw material is used to produce clothes. Jute, silk, and wool are needed to prepare clothes. Agriculture provides raw materials for agro-based industries.

Second, the promotion of agricultural activities creates job opportunities. As agro-based industries need more workers for their smooth running, production of raw materials and other agricultural activities, people will be employed. In industries, workers are responsible for the production of goods, marketing, and other activities. Another reason why agriculture should be encouraged is self- employment. The person who involves in animal rearing, fishery, poultry farming, etc. can be self-employed and can earn his livelihood. Employment is generated if we support agriculture.

Finally, agriculture contributes to the national revenue. The surplus of production can be exported to another country to earn income. Food items, animal products, medicinal herbs, etc. can be sold across the world and this assists the national income. In addition, the more exports cause the collection of a large amount of taxes. When people earn more, their purchasing power increases and can pay more taxes. Development of agriculture helps in accumulating the national income.

To sum up, agriculture should be prioritized because it provides raw materials for agro-based industries, generates employment and helps in accumulating the national income.

Study Note: Agriculture in Nepal

Nepal is an agriculture country. About 66 percent Nepalese people are involved in agriculture as their occupation. The agriculture has contributed about 36% in the gross domestic product. It has an important role in the economic development of the country. It is the main source of foodstuffs. Not only the human beings but animals and poultries also get their foods from agriculture. It provides necessary raw materials for agro-industries. If modern scientific agriculture system is adopted and the agriculture is commercialized, it can help in the poverty alleviation.

Importance of Agriculture in Nepal:

a.    Agriculture is the main source of national income.

b.    It is the source of foodstuffs not only for the human beings but also for animals and poultries.

c.    It supplies necessary raw materials for agro-industries.

d.    It helps in earning foreign currency by exporting agricultural products.

e.    It provides the employment to the people.

f.     It is the backbone of the economic development.

Traditional Agriculture system:

An old system of farming is known as traditional agriculture system. In this system, the farmers work with hand. They use the land, rainfall, seeds, tillage methods and power sources, etc. the nature offers. The productivity of such systems primarily depends on the natural fertility of the soil and the climate. Traditional agriculture system is the main reason that the agriculture sector of Nepal has not been able to improve. There is traditional agriculture system in Nepal even in the 21^st century. In the traditional agriculture system, insecticides, chemical fertilizers, improved seeds, etc. are not used. Only the traditional tools are used for agriculture. Due to such traditional way of farming, the agriculture sector has not been developed satisfactorily. Thus, it is necessary to adopt modern and scientific agriculture system for the development of agriculture sector in Nepal.

Measure to improve agriculture:  

a.    Emphasis should be given on establishing and developing essential physical infrastructure in the country.

b.    Good market and price for agricultural products should be ensured.

c.    Farmers should be given training to use new technology, improved seeds, fertilizers, etc.

d.    Irrigation canals should be constructed in more numbers so that large area of arable land can be covered by it.

e.    Farmers should be given subsidy on fertilizer, seed and other agricultural tools.

f.     Priority should be given for the production of commercial and high value items.

g.    Proper plans and policies should be made to ensure agriculture security, sustainable farming, quality improvement and market extension of agricultural products, etc.