-Dr. Vokes, ADB

Kathmandu: The Country Representative of the Asian Development Bank, Dr. Richard Vokes has said that the fertilizer subsidy were in effect subsidies to cover the high cost of the fertiliser industry and need to be reexamined in the context of liberalization.

Dr. Vokes made these remarks at a program organised by the Society for International development, Nepal Chapter, on the theme ” Rethinking Agricultural Development in Nepal” last week.

Dr. Vokes opined that the mindset of the Nepalese policy makers have remained dominated by the old conventional methods and that the agricultural production has been unable to keep pace with the rapid growth in the population in the country. According to Dr. Vokes, the open border with India was not only a negative factor as it is considered here but it could be made just the otherwise if the Nepali side could push its production to India.

“India has already emerged as a fastest growing economy in the world and Nepal can benefit from this open border system provided it acts in an effective manner and promotes its business transactions with that country”, added Dr. Vokes.

Dr. Vokes concluding his remarks suggested that Nepal should now evolve a new approach to its agricultural policy based on a careful assessment of current constraints and possibilities.

Welcoming the attending participants and the Guest Speaker, Dr. Vokes, the president of the SID, Nepal Chapter, Dr. B.K Maskay said that “notwithstanding the priority that agriculture sector has received in subsequent development plans of the country, much has up to now remained desired in terms of realizing a significant impact on the increase in the income and living standard of the Nepalese people who were still dependent largely on traditional system of farming.

According to Dr. Maskay, incentives arising out of marketing and institutional mechanisms are crucial determinants to its productivity and preference for expansion and modernization.