Prachanda Calls for Justice to Farmers, Pushes for Rice Self-Reliance
Dahal highlighted the importance of paddy farming not only as Nepal’s staple crop but also as a symbol of cultural identity, economic foundation, and a key to national self-sufficiency.
KATHMANDU: Chair of the CPN (Maoist Centre) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has emphasized the need to ensure justice for farmers to build a self-reliant economy.
In a message issued on the occasion of National Paddy Day, Dahal highlighted the importance of paddy farming not only as Nepal’s staple crop but also as a symbol of cultural identity, economic foundation, and a key to national self-sufficiency.
“Paddy is not just a major food crop; it is deeply connected to our culture, economy, and sovereignty. It contributes over 50% to the nation’s total food production and remains a backbone of the national economy,” Dahal stated.
This year’s theme, “Intensification in Paddy Farming: Food Security and Self-Reliance”, underscores the need to boost productivity and reduce dependency through effective strategies. Dahal stressed the urgent need to implement climate-resilient rice varieties and localized fertilizer recommendations, while ensuring smooth market access for smallholder farmers through cooperative models.
The former Prime Minister also criticized the current government, accusing it of failing to ensure timely supply of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation support. “During my leadership, we ensured timely fertilizer imports and transparent distribution. We prioritized large, medium, and small-scale irrigation projects to deliver water directly to farmers’ fields,” he noted.
He further warned that the problems surrounding fertilizers and irrigation have worsened under the current coalition’s weak policies.
Calling for immediate and strategic action, Prachanda urged the government to end dependency in rice cultivation by guaranteeing sufficient investment in seeds, fertilizers, irrigation systems, and the establishment of ‘rice zones’. “The government must take this matter seriously and ensure justice for farmers. It is entirely possible to make targeted investments in the rice sector to build a self-reliant economy,” he concluded.
