KATHMANDU, May 20: Nepal imported food grains worth Rs 47.8 billion in the first nine months of the current fiscal year (FY 2024/25).
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ram Nath Adhikari stated that while food grain imports amounted to Rs 47.8 billion, exports stood at only Rs 62 million.
This has resulted in a trade deficit of Rs 47.7 billion in the food grain category. Regarding vegetable crops, imports totalled Rs 31.52 billion, while exports were valued at Rs 408.2 million, according to Minister Adhikari.
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Minister Adhikari said that fruit imports amounted to Rs 18.2 billion, while exports stood at only Rs 17 million. He also stated that preliminary estimates indicate a normal increase in the production of all crops in the current FY.
He also stated that a total of 1.56 million saplings and seedlings had been sold and distributed as of mid-April.
Minister Adhikari made these remarks while responding to queries raised by lawmakers during Monday's meeting of the House of Representatives.
He stated that by the end of the current fiscal year, the government aims to provide vegetable and fruit saplings primarily to 500,000 source nurseries and centres.
He added that 1.56 million saplings and seedlings have already been sold and distributed, and the remaining target will be fulfilled in the months of Jestha (mid-May to mid-June) and Ashar (mid-June to mid-July).
Minister Adhikari also mentioned that fruits such as apples, walnuts, mangoes, grapes, coconuts, and pomegranates are primarily imported into Nepal from countries including India and China.
