NFMA holds 24th AGM, signs deal with Agriwatch

KATHMANDU: The Nepal Flour Mills Association (NFMA) convened its 24th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on April 25 in Kathmandu.

The event was presided over by NFMA President Kumud Kumar Dugar and attended by the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Damodar Bhandari, who served as the chief guest.

A significant milestone of the AGM was the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between NFMA and Agriwatch, an Indian agricultural analytics company.

Witnessed by Minister Bhandari, this agreement aims to enhance data dissemination, analysis, and consultancy services within Nepal’s agricultural sector.

It marks the first private initiative in Nepal to incorporate satellite technology for monitoring agricultural trends.

The partnership is expected to support Nepal in achieving wheat self-sufficiency within three years by leveraging scientific crop data to address farmers’ challenges and offer practical, targeted solutions.

Realising this goal will require strong and consistent backing from the Nepalese government and collaboration among various stakeholders.

Key features of the agreement include the regular collection and reporting of agricultural commodity prices.

These reports—issued daily, weekly, and monthly—will help farmers and traders make well-informed decisions.

Furthermore, the MoU covers in-depth research and consulting on production, consumption, trade, and market dynamics, offering stakeholders a clearer picture of the agricultural landscape.

The collaboration also focuses on investment guidance in seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs, enabling farmers to make informed crop choices based on scientific evidence.

In addition, the integration of digital tools, including AI-driven crop analysis and personalised consulting, will modernise farming practices and offer reliable agricultural data across Nepal.

Agriwatch will also publish agricultural updates, commodity prices, and market trends to keep all stakeholders informed.

A highlight of the AGM was the presence of Unupom Kausik, Managing Director of India’s National Co-operative Export Limited (NCEL).

NCEL, entrusted by the Indian government to oversee agricultural exports and manage quotas, has played a key role in exporting industrial goods and food grains to Nepal—including a recent shipment of 200,000 tonnes of wheat.

His participation, arranged at NFMA’s special request, aimed to strengthen ties between NCEL and Nepal’s agricultural sector.

In a special ceremony, Rabindra Bahadur Shrestha, founding president of both Khadya Udhyog—Nepal’s oldest flour mill—and NFMA, was honoured with a traditional shawl, acknowledging his foundational contributions to the flour milling industry in Nepal.