Muktinath Bikas Bank hosts ‘Agri-Finance 360’ to boost Nepal’s agriculture

KATHMANDU: Muktinath Bikas Bank has organized the ‘Muktinath Agri-Finance 360’ program to promote sustainable agricultural development and farmer resilience, marking its entry into the 20th year of establishment.

The program, held on Friday, brought together policymakers, regulators, bankers, entrepreneurs and experts for an in-depth discussion on expanding investment in agriculture, increasing productivity, and addressing key challenges in the sector.

Speaking as the chief guest, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Madan Pariyar emphasized the need to create an enabling and incentive-based environment from the government side for the overall development of agriculture.

He highlighted the importance of credit guarantees, financial literacy, agricultural insurance and strong coordination across the value chain to expand agricultural investment and improve loan quality.

“Developing women-friendly agriculture, creating technology-driven self-employment opportunities for youth, and uplifting small farmers require collective and coordinated efforts from all stakeholders,” Minister Pariyar said.

Ministry Secretary Dr. Rajendra Prasad Mishra pointed out that Nepal’s agricultural value chain weakened after privatization. He suggested that banks and financial institutions should now engage directly in agriculture through their own subsidiary companies, stressing the need for coordination from Nepal Rastra Bank to make this possible.

Banking expert Ajay Shrestha presented a working paper titled ‘Challenges and Opportunities in Agricultural Enterprise Investment in Nepal’. He identified high risk and weak credit quality in agricultural loans as major challenges, while highlighting AI-based credit scoring, expansion of value chains, and public-private partnerships as key opportunities. Shrestha also noted that although Nepal’s agricultural productivity is low compared to other countries, there is significant scope for improvement.

A panel discussion titled ‘How Can Agricultural Enterprises Thrive in Nepal?’ was moderated by banking expert Bhuwan Dahal. Panelists included Nepal Rastra Bank Executive Director Ramu Paudel, Agricultural Development Bank CEO Govinda Gurung, FNCCI representative DB Basnet, and agricultural entrepreneur Bimala Acharya Dahal.

The panel emphasized prioritizing agricultural credit, making policies more practical through reform, and creating a motivating rather than coercive environment for financial institutions. Participants also stressed the need for provincial-level storage facilities, model farming practices, assured markets, and stronger support for women entrepreneurs. Improving access to quality seeds, fertilizers, irrigation and agricultural insurance was highlighted as equally crucial.

Around 350 participants—including representatives from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, Nepal Rastra Bank, commercial and development banks, insurance companies, universities, researchers and agricultural entrepreneurs—attended the program.

The event was chaired by Bank Chair Khim Prakash Mall, with welcome remarks from Director Umesh Kumar Acharya. CEO Pradyumna Pokharel presented the program summary, while Nepal Rastra Bank Executive Director Bishrut Thapa and Spokesperson Guru Prasad Paudel also shared their views.

Claimed to be the first program of its kind in Nepal’s banking sector, Muktinath Bikas Bank stated that the initiative successfully brought all key agricultural stakeholders onto a single platform to help chart a future roadmap for the sector.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting rural prosperity and strengthening agricultural enterprises in the years ahead.