KATHMANDU, Dec 17: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between Nepal and the private sector of China to export processed buffalo meat worth USD 1.5 billion annually from Nepal to China.
The Himalayan Food International of Nepal and Shanghai Ziyan Food Company Limited signed the MoU to this effect at a program on Monday.
As per the agreement, Himalayan Food International will export 2.7 million metric tons of meat annually in the first phase.
A fully automated animal slaughterhouse will be built in collaboration with the Himalayan Food International within the next six months, the MoU stated.
It may be noted that Nepal and China had signed a protocol to facilitate the export of processed buffalo meat from Nepal to China during Minister KP Sharma Oli's recent official visit to China.
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The Himalayan Food International was established in 2011 for the export of processed meat while China's Shanghai Ziyan Food Company has more than 6,000 outlets across China.
Shanghai Ziyan Food Company has expressed its interest in investing worth Rs 20 billion in Nepal besides extending technical assistance for buffalo husbandry, said Dr Navin Kumar Sharma, Chairperson of the Animal Slaughter House Entrepreneurs Association.
This, Dr Sharma believed, would benefit the Nepali youths involved in animal husbandry or aspiring to be involved in animal husbandry.
While signing the MoU, Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Ramnath Adhikari reaffirmed Nepal's commitment to export buffalo meat to China in compliance with the Chinese government's standards.
Minister Adhikari asserted that this agreement had further enthused and encouraged Nepali farmers to get involved in animal husbandry. "We are making efforts to ensure export of quality products by ensuring quality production of Nepal products," the Minister said, pledging to effectively enact the Act related to animal slaughterhouse and meat inspection.
He also vowed to put in place necessary laws and policies for promoting animal husbandry.
Likewise, Minister for Land Management, Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation Balaram Adhikari said that the agreement would hugely contribute to job creation and economic development in Nepal.
He suggested first identifying viable areas for buffalo rearing and then starting the venture in a relatively low investment.
On the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Chen Song expressed his happiness over the implementation of the agreement, for which a protocol agreement was inked during PM Oli's visit to China.
Dr Umesh Dahal, Director General at the Department of Livestock Services, shared that commercial rearing of buffaloes were being run in as many as 30 local levels at present to prevent meat shortage.
