UNITE Calls for Five-Year Green Campaign

Union for National Industry Trade and Entrepreneurs Nepal (UNITE) has urged the government to adopt a green revolution campaign for the next five years. In a press meet here today, UNITE demanded integrated development policy for agriculture and industries.

"The government must focus on green revolution for the next five years," said UNITE president Kamal Kharel. "The revolution must target surplus food production along with establishment of agro-based and herb-based industries," he said. Without industrializing and commercializing the agriculture sector the country's development cannot be sustained, he added.

Around 66 per cent of Nepalis are dependent on agriculture and the sector contributes 32 per cent to Nepal's gross domestic production (GDP). Though agriculture sector reforms is a priority programme of the government it has allocated only a minimum budget for it -- Rs 8.6 billion. "This is not enough, the agriculture sector must have at least 20 per cent of the budget,"

Kharel said.

The government has allocated Rs 100 million for the promotion of cash crops -- tea, coffee, ginger honey and fruits -- in the budget 2009-10.

"How can we promote these sectors with a meagre budget?" asked Kharel. "If the government wants development which would be tangible, it should target two sectors -- green revolution and hydropower," he said.

According to UNITE, the government must adopt five and ten year plans for bring ing a green revolution and energising the hydropower sector. Without electricity, the establishment of indus, tries is impossible so the con centration must be in energy sector, said UNITE. Over 50 per cent of the development budget should be set aside for agriculture and hy dropower sectors to build the foundations of industrializa tion, it urged.