The Ministry of Agriculture has been in decline and lost direction and expertise – Prof. Prasad

National Federation Party Leader Professor Biman Prasad says the Ministry of Agriculture has been in decline and has lost direction and expertise.

While speaking on his motion that Parliament authorities the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs to assess the impact of direct initiatives to farmers in the agricultural sector, Prasad says the service it provides to farmers has fallen in quality and quantity and it seems to be focused on photo opportunities for the minister and others.

He says local farmers cannot earn a decent living from supplying food locally because they cannot produce enough to cover the cost of getting the crops to the market adding that in many cases, supermarkets find it easy to import food than buy it locally.

Prasad further says we are struggling to create a robust and sustainable agricultural exporting industry.

The NFP Leader adds we need to understand whether the agriculture ministry’s initiatives are successful or not and what is the effectiveness of these initiatives.

He says the problem with the government is that they never want to hear bad news and that is why they oppose any independent inquiries or motions that they bring.