BUTWAL, March 5: The Directorate of Agriculture Development of Lumbini Province has forged collaborations with different sectors to promote the use of organic fertilizer and biopesticides.

Speaking in an interaction program with local journalists and representatives from National Biotech, Ram Prasad Pande, chief of the directorate, said, "The use of organic fertilizers and biopesticides plays a significant role in sustainable agriculture and in improving soil health."

He also highlighted the role of media and civil society groups in making farmers aware of the benefits of using organic inputs. "The latest economic survey shows that the contribution of the agriculture sector to the province's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stands at 29.8 percent," he said. "However, the health of the soil has been a growing concern among stakeholders."

Pandey argued that organic matter plays a significant role in maintaining soil health for better crop production. "The recent soil test of Rupandehi district showed that the organic matter in the soil in some parts of the district is extremely low. The soil test results have raised concerns about soil health, and the government will implement policies to encourage farmers to adopt organic methods to maintain soil quality," he further said.

He also stated that multi-stakeholder collaboration and cooperation would be very helpful in raising awareness about organic inputs among farmers. "It is the primary duty of the government to make fertilizers more accessible and affordable to farmers," he said. "However, unmet demand for fertilizers is a reality in various parts of the country."

Pandey further highlighted the need for cooperation and collaboration between the government and private sector organizations to maintain the supply chain of organic products. He also urged the media sector and other stakeholders to play a positive role in expediting the dissemination of the message on the benefits of using organic fertilizers to a larger number of farmers in the province.

 
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